With so many drivers on the road today and all of the distractions in our lives, it’s almost inevitable that you will be in some kind of car accident at some point. Whether it’s a rear end collision or a fender bender, it’s important to know how to properly react after an accident to avoid any extra trouble. Moments after a car accident can be panic induced and scary. We tend to forget what we need to do and all caution seems to go to the wind. If you’re involved in a car accident, knowing how to sufficiently handle the situation will result in a smoother and stress free experience. Here are the steps you need to follow if you’ve just been in an automobile accident.
Move to a Safe Area – The first thing you need to do is move your car to the shoulder of the road, so that you’re not exposed to further damage and you’re not holding up traffic. If you’re unable to move your car, simply flip on your hazards to alert other drivers that your vehicle will be there for a while. Call 911 as soon and you possibly can and do not more any injured people.
Gather Information – Once you and your vehicle are out of harms way, get the names, license plate numbers, insurance information, witness information and badge number of police on the scene. Also, gather the vehicle (make, model, color, ect.) and insurance information of the other driver.
Protect Yourself – One of the most important things to remember is to never accept fault at the scene. File a report with the police who arrive on the scene and recount the truthful recollection of what happened. Let the officers and auto insurance adjusters review the facts and figure out who really carries the fault. This can also come back to haunt you if the other driver decides to sue you for damages. If you have a smartphone with a camera, snap some pictures of the damages to both vehicles. These will definitely come in handy for when you file a car insurance claim.
File a Claim – Call your insurance provider from the scene or visit their online website to file a claim and report the accident. Your claims adjuster will review all of the available information: vehicle damages, witness statements and police reports to determine fault and then provide a cost estimate, so that we can fix your car up and get you back on the road as soon as possible!
If you follow these 4 easy steps, we’ll take care of the rest. The more information that you can provide us, the faster your claim can be processed. If you plan on driving anywhere, it’s important to make sure that you’re covered. Give us a call to make sure that your auto, home, boat and RV insurance policy is up to date and you’ve got the best rate and coverage possible!