Bam! Your car was just involved in a minor collision with another vehicle, and you can feel your adrenaline kicking in. You’re a little shaken up but not seriously hurt, and as the initial shock wears off your mind begins to clear. Now that you’ve been involved in an accident, what should you do next? It’s important to stay calm and focused, and to never leave the scene prematurely or admit fault, even if you did cause the wreck. Obviously, if someone in either vehicle sustained serious injuries you need to call 911 immediately. If that’s not the case, then follow these important steps right after an accident occurs.
The safety of everyone at the scene is of the utmost importance. If the damaged vehicles are drivable, move them out of traffic to the side of the road. Shift them into park, turn the engines off and the hazard lights on. If you have any safety items in your car like flares, cones or warning triangles, set those up around the vehicles. Double check all people involved for injuries, and if someone is complaining of serious back or neck pain they need to stop moving around until qualified medical personnel arrives. Call the police and ask for a unit to come out even if the accident is minor. Police reports are very important in the insurance claim process when determining who’s at fault. Many state laws require that the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, property damage in excess of $1500, or the towing of any vehicle, must file an official accident report with the state within 72 hours after the accident.
After the car accident, the other driver involved might not want to call the police and may want to settle things between just the two of you. Ignore their request and call the police, even if it’s just a minor car accident, because:
1) In most states, you are required to call the police by law after a car accident.
2) An official police report is one of the most credible documents the insurers will use to determine fault.
3) Officers are trained at detecting staged a car accident and can help protect you from fraud.
4) Emotions can run high after a car accident, and a police presence can be there to act as an impartial referee can make sure that things don’t get too heated.
Police officers are trained to handle various situations that might happen after a car accident. Even though you may not think are physically injured, you may be in shock, and your emotions may make it hard to think clearly. A police officer can assess the situation and determine if medical assistance is required.
Oftentimes due to the initial post-collision shock drivers forget to obtain the crucial information they should. Involved parties should exchange this information:
Remain respectful and courteous at all times, and do not admit fault. Take pictures of the vehicles involved including the damage, and the scene itself whenever it’s safe to do so. Only sign a document if it’s for the police or your insurance company.
Things may be chaotic after a car accident, and it can be difficult to remember things later. Take written notes as soon as possible after the car accident, and be as specific as possible. Use your cell phone to take pictures and document the car accident. The more pictures, the better. If there are any witnesses, get their name and contact information. Ask for a brief summary of what they saw and take notes.
Before leaving the scene of the accident you should call your insurance agent or other representative and explain what happened. Be as truthful as possible, because not doing so could result in some serious problems later including claim denial. Is your car safe to drive? If not, let them know. The insurance company will direct you on the next action to take, including towing. They may even inquire as to whether you have a preferred body shop, and will tell you immediately if they are in their approved network.
You will then be instructed to either drive the car home, or have it towed to an insurance claims center or collision repair shop nearby. If a police citation was issued at the scene, the recipient will probably be deemed “at-fault” during the insurance review process. Within a couple of days, a claims adjuster will be in touch with you to explain your repair options moving forward. If you are found to be at-fault for the accident, you’ll have to pay your policy’s deductible when picking up the vehicle from the body shop. Some other long-term things to consider:
In the end, following these guidelines right after an accident occurs will help the entire process go more smoothly.
If you are involved in a car accident, you should first make sure everyone is okay and, if possible, pull off the road or get to a safe place. Then, call 911 to let the police know your exact location. If the accident is minor and there are no injuries, you can check for car damages and check to see that all parties involved are insured drivers while you wait for law enforcement to arrive.
If you are hit by an uninsured driver, there are several things you should do while at the scene of the accident. Request to see the other driver’s identification or ask for their name. Use your mobile phone to take photos of the vehicles, vehicle damage, and the other driver’s license plate. Most people cannot remember all the details of the car accident after it happens, so carefully write down what happened while it is still fresh in your mind.
If the uninsured driver doesn’t want to give their identification or name to you, or you feel unsafe or uncomfortable gathering information in the presence of the uninsured driver, wait for law enforcement to arrive.
In the United States, approximately 1 in 7 drivers (PDF) are uninsured without even basic coverage, according to a 2011 study by the Insurance Research Council.
Uninsured drivers cost the car insurance industry and insured drivers billions of dollars each year. The Insurance Research Council estimates that almost 14% of all U.S. drivers are uninsured at any given time.
At the scene of the accident, tell law enforcement what happened, and if there are any witnesses, have the police take down their testimonies as well. Let the police issue citations or determine who is at fault, and then ask for a copy of the police report.
If you are hit by an uninsured motorist, and it was determined that it was not your fault, your auto insurance should cover the damages as long as you have the extra under-insured or uninsured motorist coverage on your policy. If you don’t have the extra coverage on your policy, you may have to sue the uninsured driver to collect damages, and you will probably have to pay your auto insurance deductible out of pocket. If you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver and need your car damage repaired, your auto insurance company may also attempt to recover damages from the other driver. You may have to appear in court, as a witness and the victim, to testify about the accident.
When an accident strikes, it’s stressful. Locating a reliable collision repair shop to do the work can also be a challenge. Your insurance company will provide input on which body shops are approved in their network. From that list, you can then decide where you want to take it. Most all collision repair shops work directly with insurance providers to ensure a more seamless and stress-free process for you. They will update you on the status of your vehicle, and notify you when the repairs are done. Taking the initial steps outlined in this article will go a long way in ensuring that you’ve done your part to get the process started. To search your zip code for a list of auto body shops near you, visit www.carwise.com now.
Just as you may have a tornado or severe storm kit in your basement, it’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car in case of extreme conditions. In the winter months especially, there are many items that could prove to be very useful in an unfortunate weather-related situation or accident that causes you to be exposed to extreme temperatures.
Start your kit with some basic essentials, such as non-perishable food items (i.e. canned goods or snacks), and bottled water. Pack enough for all the people typically in your car.
Next, a few handy tools to add to your kit include:
Yes, you read that right. Cat litter is a great, lightweight alternative to salt or sand that can be used to free your car from snow banks or icy patches.
A classic first-aid kit may be in your car already, but it’s worth a second look to ensure it still has a full supply. Lastly, tucking a warm blanket in your trunk is also a good idea in case your car won’t start, or you have to wait for assistance in cold temperatures.
Take a look at which of these items you already have in your car, and consider adding the ones you don’t. You will be happy you did if you ever come across a situation when you need them. Leave a comment below with any items you would add to our list!
Just as you may have a tornado or severe storm kit in your basement, it’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car in case of extreme conditions. In the winter months especially, there are many items that could prove to be very useful in an unfortunate weather-related situation or accident that causes you to be exposed to extreme temperatures.
Start your kit with some basic essentials, such as non-perishable food items (i.e. canned goods or snacks), and bottled water. Pack enough for all the people typically in your car.
Next, a few handy tools to add to your kit include:
Yes, you read that right. Cat litter is a great, lightweight alternative to salt or sand that can be used to free your car from snow banks or icy patches.
A classic first-aid kit may be in your car already, but it’s worth a second look to ensure it still has a full supply. Lastly, tucking a warm blanket in your trunk is also a good idea in case your car won’t start, or you have to wait for assistance in cold temperatures.
Take a look at which of these items you already have in your car, and consider adding the ones you don’t. You will be happy you did if you ever come across a situation when you need them. Leave a comment below with any items you would add to our list!
Sources:
USSA.com
NAIC.org
OSBAR.org
Esurance.com
Carsdirect.com
