As Özkök Law Firm, we frequently witness the complexity of legal processes after traffic accidents. In this article, we will discuss in detail the first steps to be taken after an accident, the rights and responsibilities of victims and drivers.
First Aid and Notification After an Accident
The first thing you should do when you have a traffic accident is to immediately call 112 if there are injured people and call an ambulance or other emergency teams. Then, you should take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the accident scene and warn other drivers.
• Police Notification: It is mandatory to go to the nearest police station or by phone to file an accident report. You should report all the details of the accident, the information of the eyewitnesses and the damage status to the police.
• Insurance Notification: You should report the accident to your own insurance company and the other vehicle’s insurance company. Insurance companies will initiate the damage assessment and compensation processes.
What to Do at the Accident Scene
You can make your job easier in the future by doing the following at the accident scene:
• Photo and Video Documentation: Take photo and video recordings of the accident scene, damaged vehicles and injured people (if any). These records will be used as important evidence in later legal processes.
• Eyewitness Information: Stop other drivers or pedestrians who come to the accident scene and get their names and contact information. Eyewitness statements will provide important information about how the accident happened.
• Damage Assessment Report: Wait for the insurance company’s damage assessment expert to arrive and sign the damage assessment report. Indicate on the report that any damage you do not see or object to is missing.
Rights and Responsibilities of Victims
As a traffic accident victim, you have rights to material and moral compensation. In order to exercise these rights, you must contact a lawyer and take the necessary legal action.
• Material Compensation: You can request compensation from your insurance company or the other party for treatment expenses, vehicle repair or replacement expenses, lost income and other material damages.

• Moral Compensation: You can also request compensation for moral damages such as pain, sadness and fear that you experienced as a result of the accident.

• Responsibility: As a victim, you have responsibilities such as fulfilling the necessary actions after the accident and protecting your rights.

Rights and Responsibilities of Drivers
As a driver involved in a traffic accident, your rights and responsibilities change depending on the responsibility of the accident.

• Rights: If you are not responsible for the accident, you can request compensation from your insurance company or the other party.

• Responsibilities: If you are responsible for the accident, you are responsible for covering the material and moral damages you caused to the other party. You may also face criminal sanctions.