Anything can happen to you on the road, from being sideswiped by an incoming motorcycle to being hit by a crossing deer. There's also a good chance that you'll be the one causing the accident yourself. Criminal liability is certain if your actions lead to any injuries and property damages.

There is no perfect driver and even the most experienced motorists are prone to making mistakes. What matters the most is that you know exactly what to do when a road accident happens and it's obvious that you've caused it. If this happens to you, here's a guide to help you come out of this sticky situation:

1. Check yourself and others involved

In the face of an accident, the worst you could do is to leave the scene almost as though you're trying to absolve yourself from any wrongdoing. The opposite happens when police collar you and the accident would then be considered a hit-and-run case.

Instead of bailing from the scenario, try to help as many people as you can. Check your condition first and see if you're able to move around. If you're free from fractures and other serious injuries, tend to the safety of drivers and pedestrians around the scene.

In case there are already first responders on the ground, ask about what you can do to help out. Taking the initiative to stay on the scene and providing immediate aid to the injured will help you get a lighter sentence or spare you from any punishment if legal action is planned against you.

2. Clear the scene and cooperate with the police

Once everyone who's injured is safe, your job now is to clear the roads of any debris to give emergency services more space to deploy. If your vehicle suffered only minor damage, you can simply push it to the roadside. Make sure to turn on your hazard lights or at least put up a warning triangle. It also helps if you could wear a reflective vest, especially in the event of fog or thick snow cover.

In addition to clearing the area of pieces of glass and steel, you will need to work closely with police officers on the scene and find out what more you could help them with. Provide accurate recollections of what happened. If you have to, talk to other witnesses and walk the authorities through the factors that led to the accident. Your cooperation will benefit your side if anyone plans on taking you to court.

3. Record every detail on the scene

Evidence gathering is critical if someone plans on filing a lawsuit against you for damages to their property and personal injuries. After ensuring that everyone else is safe, take photos of the scene. Look for damaged barriers and structures that can help police investigate what happened.

In addition to photographic evidence, try talking to people who were near the accident area. These may include workers in nearby establishments, pedestrians, and other motorists across every vantage point. Try to get direct quotations from witnesses. These will be invaluable if ever you find yourself at the receiving end of a court order.

Aside from interviewing people at the scene, you can also take note of a lack of visible signage. You could reduce your liability if the accident were a result of a lack of traffic warnings. Whichever the case, the quality of the evidence you've gathered will make a difference in keeping you from taking all of the fault.

4. Exchange insurance information

If the accident didn't cause any widespread destruction or harm and the worst thing that could happen to your car is a dented bumper, then a better course of action is to get your insurance company involved in processing your claims. This is also true if you're in an at-fault state and the court decides that you compensate the other side's losses or damages.

It's always a good idea to refuse to admit that you caused the accident in the first place. Avoid making any unqualified statements that the other side could take advantage of to inflate their claims.

By getting your insurance carriers involved, you could get a better deal regardless of whether you're at fault or not. The companies will investigate what happened and provide you with a more accurate estimate of how much you'll pay out of pocket for repair and towing costs.

5. Get a lawyer to defend you

It's everyone's right to start a lawsuit if they feel the need to hold another party liable. This is often the case if the accident claimed lives or caused permanent disability among the victims. On the other hand, you also have the right to defend yourself from claims of wrongdoing.

Hiring the right defense lawyer will spell the difference between failure and success. Fortunately, it shouldn't take a long time for you to find a criminal defense attorney who specializes in vehicular accidents that were indirectly caused by factors such as the medication you took before taking the wheel.

Once you have the right legal expert by your side, you can formulate a defense strategy that will reduce your liabilities and downgrade the maximum penalties you would face. Your lawyer may even represent your best interests if the option of settling is on the table.

6. Never let your emotions take hold of you

Being held liable for a road accident you may not have directly caused could trigger feelings of helplessness. When pushed into a corner, some people may resort to desperate means to escape.

One thing’s for sure, it won’t help your case if you show any form of aggression towards the other party, the least of which may involve verbal abuse and threatening messages. Whether you directly caused the accident or not, let your lawyer do the talking on your behalf.

In addition to that, make sure you practice good social media hygiene. Avoid posting incriminating photos showing that you’re not guilt-ridden at all. If you feel the need to post anything online, ask your lawyer before you proceed.

Endnote

Indirectly causing a road accident will plunge you through a difficult process in trying to prove your innocence. By following this guide, you will have a better idea of what to do in the aftermath.