Thousands of Americans are involved in car accidents each year. If you are one of these unlucky people, will you know how to react in the aftermath of a motor vehicle crash? Before you get into your vehicle, you should educate yourself on what you can do to:
• Prevent further injuries
• Reduce costs
• Accelerate the clean-up and vehicle repair process
If you are involved in a car accident , you should:
Call for an ambulance if anyone is injured:First off, you should do is call for help if someone is hurt. If you have not sustained serious injuries, move your vehicle to the side of the road, safely away from other vehicles. Remember that leaving vehicles in the middle of an intersection or in the way of traffic can result in more accidents. If your vehicle cannot be moved, turn on your hazard signals and set out flares or some type of warning if possible, while you wait for help.
Exchange information:Be sure to exchange all pertinent information with all parties involved in the accident. This includes each person's:
• Name, address and phone number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver license number • License plate number (for the driver and the owner of each vehicle)
• A description of the car (year, make, color and model)
If the driver's name is different from the name of person insured, find out what the relationship is, and write down the appropriate contact information.
Photograph and document the accident:While it is fresh in your mind, write down the exact location of the accident and what happened.Neveradmit fault, even if it you were clearly at fault. This is something the lawyers and insurance adjustors will determine at a later date. If you have a camera, photograph the scene and any related:
• Landscaping
• Signage
• Lighting
• Debris
• Weather conditions
• Any other obstructions or factors that may have influenced the accident
Also photograph the damage to all vehicles involved. If there are any witnesses, try to obtain their contact information, as they may be able to defend you if the other party tries dispute your account of what happened.
File an accident report:Most police officers do not respond to accidents unless there are injuries. However, you should still file an accident report with your local police department. A police report also helps insurance companies expedite the claims process.
Read your insurance policy: Review your insurance policy and understand what it covers. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with what your policy entails before getting in an accident. One reason is that is valuable to know whether towing or a rental car is covered.
Deciding Who Will Pay for DamagesThe last thing to do at the scene is determine who will pay for damages. In minor collisions, you and the other parties involved may decide to settle the damages without involving the insurance. However, this can backfire if the other party sees the repair bill, decides it is too high and then turns the accident over to the insurance. Now, time has passed since the collision, and it is harder to piece the accident together.
The other driver may also try to claim injuries that he or she did not indicate at the time of the accident. This can mean that your insurance company may be forced to pay a significant settlement. Even worse, you could face a lawsuit by the other party's insurance company.
You should speak to a car accident attorney as soon as possible following your motor vehicle accident.
