Living There
The moment immediately after a car crash or accident can be chaotic to say the least. A little advance preparation, along with some of the following tips will make you safer, as well as making insurance issues easier. .
First and foremost, check on the physical condition of yourself, your passengers and others involved. Take a deep breath and stay calm. If you suspect any injuries, call 911 immediately. Never assume that someone else has already done the same. Call 911 before moving to assist those involved.
If your accident is minor, move your car to a safe place whenever possible. If you cannot move your car easily, leave it where it is. Move yourself out of traffic, and try to find a way to warn oncoming traffic about your vehicle. Carrying cones, flares or triangles in your car is a great safety precaution. Use hazard lights as needed.
Report the accident to police. Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police file a full report. While police may not come out for a minor fender bender, it’s still wise to call and have a record of reporting the accident.
Contact your insurance company. You are required to have insurance information that includes coverage and contact numbers in your vehicle. As soon as you are able after taking care of safety and police issues, contact your insurance company and make them aware of the accident.
Start making some notes about what happened. It’s always wise to keep a pen and paper in your vehicle, for a variety of reasons. If you don’t have something to write with, make notes on your mobile phone and take photos as a record.
What to record? Start with basic info such as the time, the direction the vehicles were taking, names of drivers and vehicle documentation. You may also want to take a couple pictures of both your vehicles as well. Make sure you get names, and vehicle information, not just license plate numbers…
Last but certainly not least-do not offer to give or receive compensation. If someone offers to give you cash, or let you give cash in order to keep your rates low, politely decline. Your insurance company will evaluate the amount of damage (which may be much different than the amount suggested on the scene). Also, many insurance companies pay repair companies directly, ensuring that money is used directly.
Last but not least, do not offer or give compensation. If someone offers to give you cash or let you give cash in order to keep your rates low, politely decline.
Infographic courtesy of Woomer and Hall LLP.
