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How To React If You Encounter A Difficult Driver After A Car Accident

CarAccident2

Car accidents happen in this country more often than they should. Approximately six million car accidents occur every day. And unfortunately, statistics indicate that a sizable amount of these collisions lead to someone losing their life. For example, 38,800 people were killed in car accidents in the United States in 2019. Sadly, if you find yourself involved in a collision, you may find that the attitude of the other driver can end up being just as unpredictable as any potential damage. The good news is that there are things you can do at the scene of the accident to help stabilize the situation even when you encounter someone who is extremely difficult to deal with.

Tips for Dealing With a Difficult Driver at the Accident Scene

Avoid Arguing and Remain Calm

Being involved in a car accident is inherently upsetting and it is understandable if your nerves are on edge – the other driver will similarly be unnerved. Responding to an angry driver with your own aggression is likely to only make the other driver more upset and escalate the situation. It is crucial that you remain in control of your emotions and stay calm throughout your exchange with the other driver even if you are sure that the other driver caused the accident. Calmly try to exchange information with the other driver. If he or she seems to be too hostile to safely interact with, do not continue attempting to do so on your own. Instead of speaking to the other driver in that case, if you are able to do so safely, use the time before the police arrive to take photos of the scene of the accident which should always be done at some point anyway.

Involve the Authorities

Contacting the police and ensuring that a police report is filed is always a good idea after a car accident. The authorities are a neutral party who are trained in assessing exactly what happened to cause the collision. In addition to helping to determine who was at fault for the accident, the police can also act as a buffer between you and an aggressive or difficult driver.

Look Out for Signs that the Driver Is Impaired

You may have noticed the driver swerving prior to the collision occurring. You may also smell or see some evidence of drug or alcohol use at the scene of the accident. Anything from slurred speech to aggressive behavior itself can be a sign of impairment. If you have any suspicion that the cause of the other driver’s aggressive behavior is due to that person being under the influence of a mind-altering substance, keep a wide distance and alert the authorities both on the phone and when the police arrive.

Obtain Legal Help

A driver that is difficult at the scene of an accident will probably continue to be if you happened to become injured in the accident and now need to hold that person legally accountable. Having the assistance of a team rich in legal knowledge can offer you support and guidance toward the success of your personal injury claim. As the experienced Jacksonville car accident attorneys at Douglas & Douglas, we know to handle a wide variety of cases and you can depend on us to help you maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to begin with a complimentary consultation.

Resource:

safer-america.com/car-accident-statistics/

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