Should You Move Your Car After an Accident?

Driving is a big part of our everyday life, but many of us don’t give it much thought. From commuting to work to running errands on the weekends, we use our cars on a daily basis. However, a car accident can happen at any time and leave your vehicle totaled.

If you’ve been in a car accident in the middle of the road, do you move your car? Do you try to get out of the way, or do you leave it where it is for evidence? The answer to this question can vary depending on the circumstances, but we’re here to help. This discussion will go over the legalities of moving your car after an accident and what to do immediately after an accident.

Moving Your Vehicle After an Accident

If you’re trying to decide whether you should move your car after an accident, there are a few factors to keep in mind. The first thing to look at is the state of your car and who is at fault for the accident. If the accident was minor and it’s obvious who caused the accident, then it’s best to move your car out of the traffic flow.

You shouldn’t move your car if it’s not safe to drive, or it’s not clear who is at fault for the accident. In these cases, it’s best to leave your car where it is.

Is It Illegal To Move Your Car After an Accident?

Many people have the assumption it’s illegal to move your car in any way after a car accident. Let’s clear the air on that first. The law simply requires you to leave your car at the scene of the accident—you can legally move it out of the flow of traffic without getting in trouble. However, if a car accident results in serious injuries or fatalities, it’s illegal to move your car.

The only time the law explicitly states anything about moving your car is if there are any injuries. Arizona law states that you should not move your car if the accident results in serious injuries or fatalities. If you’re not sure whether or not to move your car, you can play it safe by leaving it alone. You will not be penalized for leaving your car where it is.

When to Move Your Car After an Accident

• If your car is safe to drive and obstructs traffic, you can move it off to the side or a designated area.
• You can move your car if there are no injuries, minimal vehicular damage, and all parties agree to move their cars to a specific area.
• If the accident occurred in a dangerous area such as a blind turn or busy freeway, it may be best to move your car to keep yourself safe.

When Should I Leave My Car Where It Is?

• If the accident results in serious injuries to any party, leave your car where it is.
• If the accident has a fire or explosion risk from a hazardous material, get far away and don’t touch anything.
• If the accident is a pileup accident involving multiple accidents, it’s best to leave your car where it is.
• Do not move your car if there’s significant damage that makes it unsafe to drive.
• Do not move your car if the accident results in a fatality or death.
• If someone is trapped in the rubble or remnants of the accident, don’t touch anything until emergency medical assistance arrives.

Phoenix Car Accident Attorney – Shapiro Law Team

Steps to Take After a Car Crash

If you’ve found yourself in a car crash, take a breath and remain calm. Keeping a level head will help you do what you need to do to keep yourself and others safe. Follow these basic steps after getting into a car accident:

• Stop as close to the accident as you safely can. Pull off to the side if the accident is minor, or leave your car exactly where it is if the accident is severe.
• Stay at the scene of the incident. Do not drive away under any circumstances.
• If someone has been injured, immediately contact emergency medical assistance.
• The next step is exchanging information with all parties involved in the accident. This includes phone numbers, insurance information, and other contact information.
• After that, report the accident. Reporting a crash to the proper authorities helps with evidence preservation and making sure the police analysis of the accident is as detailed as possible.
• Contact a personal injury law firm in Arizona.

Don’t Leave the Scene

As mentioned earlier, never leave the scene of a car accident. If you want to get out of the way of traffic, pull off to the side of the road or find a spot as close to the scene as possible. Don’t drive a quarter-mile down the road to find a pullover spot.

Try to stay as close to the scene as possible while getting somewhere safe. This helps law enforcement collect physical evidence of the accident for an accident reconstruction in their report.

Evidence and Police Reports Are Crucial

You want to stay near the scene of the accident to help with preserving evidence and forming the police report. After an accident, you want the police report to be as detailed as possible. This includes collecting physical evidence and potential eyewitness accounts.

All of this goes into this initial report, which will be a significant piece of evidence for pursuing legal action. You need hard proof of who was at fault for the accident so you earn the compensation you deserve.

What Do State Laws Say About Moving My Vehicle?

The state of Arizona has what is known as a “Quick Clearance” rule. This rule states that drivers involved in minor car accidents with no injuries should move their cars out of traffic flow as quickly as possible to prevent a traffic jam. Move your car either onto the shoulder or in an available space near the scene of the accident.

If the accident results in severe injuries or fatalities, Arizona law states to leave your car where it is and not to touch anything.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Phoenix

A car accident is a scary event to go through, especially when you’re trying to also navigate insurance claims and the legal system. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. Shapiro Law Team is ready to take on your case and get you the compensation you deserve. Whether you’re filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit, our team is here to join you in the fight.

Our phoenix car accident injury attorneys at Shapiro Law Team will work with you throughout the legal process, including handling all communications and negotiations with other parties. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us a dime for our services unless we win your case.

Contact Shapiro Law Team today for a FREE consultation!