The roads in Colorado can be hazardous, with their steep mountain descents and other such obstacles. In the winters, they can grow even more dangerous as snow falls and turns to ice on the streets. If you are involved in a crash, the Colorado DMV can provide some advice on what you should do.
The first step, they stress, is to check for injured parties. You always want to do this first, and, if someone has been hurt, you need to contact emergency services and try to help the person. However, in many accidents, there will be no injuries, so there are other steps that you can take while you wait for the authorities.
As you may know, this is a good time to exchange insurance information with the other driver. You do not want to admit fault, but you can talk to them about the needed information and contact information. It can also be a good idea to take pictures of the crash with your phone so that you have evidence if it becomes needed in the future.
The next step is to file an accident report. You may do this online in some cases, though there are restrictions—if someone was hurt or killed, for example, you cannot file online. In those cases, you need to file in person.
The police will also create a report. If you file with your insurance company, they will need a copy, which you can get for them.
When people are hurt in accidents, you may need to take additional steps to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
Source: Colorado DMV, “Accident Guide in Colorado” Dec. 31, 2014
