What to Do After a Car Accident
Like many women who have a packed schedule, you may feel like there are not enough hours in the day, whether you’re driving the kids to soccer practice, picking up groceries, or dashing to a meeting.
With all this multitasking, it’s easy to pick up some bad driving habits, such as texting while driving or having to reprimand your kids while keeping your eyes on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) distracted driving was a reported factor in 8.5% of fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2019.
To ease any anxiety you might have about driving, we’ll look at some basic steps to follow in the event that your car is involved in an accident.
Collect Information
In case of an accident, always exchange key information with the other driver. This should include the name, address, and telephone numbers of the other driver and their insurance company and policy number. Take note of details such as the color, model, and license plate number of their car. If there were any witnesses to the accident, ask to take their contact details as well.
Take Pictures
If you can, take pictures of the scene and any damage to both vehicles. Providing photographic evidence of an accident can help establish how the accident occurred and which party was at fault. If you sustain any visible injuries taking pictures will help support your insurance claim.
Call the Police
Depending on the severity of your accident, it’s a good idea to report it to the police as you might need a police report to make an insurance claim. Most police reports are available to the public and can be obtained upon request.
A police report can also provide unbiased and credible evidence from a reliable third party helping to establish the details of the accident and which party was at fault.
Seek Medical Attention
If you receive any injuries following your accident it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Often, the injuries following a motor vehicle accident are not immediately apparent.
Keeping copies of your medical records will help determine the source of your injuries which will help in your claim. Records that pre-date your accident can prove that there was no pre-existing cause for your injury, as it occurred directly as a result of your car accident.
Make sure to keep receipts for any medical bills and expenses such as physical therapy, transportation to and from appointments, and any medication you need to take. This will also help the insurance adjusters determine how much to pay out.
Notify Your Insurer
It’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. This will help the claim process move swiftly, and they might also be able to help you with other services that are included in your policy, such as a replacement vehicle. You may also be entitled to medical benefits.
Find out what documents you need to provide to your insurer and what the deadlines are for filing them. If you are looking to purchase auto insurance or renew an existing policy, you can find some auto insurance quoteshere.
By following these five steps, you’ll be in the best position to protect yourself and your interests in case of an accident.
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