What You Should Do After A Car Accident

One of the most stressful situations that drivers find themselves in is a car accident. Whether minor or major, a collision will rattle even the most easy-going people. Many drivers are confused and shaken up after an accident – they were driving fine, how could this have happened?

Even more stressful than the collision itself is the aftermath when both drivers have to face the reality of the accident. Understandably, many people are at a loss of what to do once they get out of their totaled cars and have to face the scene. Most of us don’t handle car accidents daily.

There are several important steps to take when you find yourself in a car accident. Read below to learn about what to do after a car crash.

Move Your Car to a Safer Area

If the collision was not major and you are not injured, move your vehicle out of traffic. If there is enough space, make sure that your car is completely off the road. This way, you can avoid being hit by oncoming traffic.

Turn on the hazard lights, put the car in park, and turn it off. Placing cones or flares can increase safety, especially if you are on a busy road.

Moving your vehicle out of traffic is necessary to reduce the chances of another collision. However, if you are in a traffic-calmed area it might be more beneficial to delay moving the vehicle until the police arrive. This way, the officer will have an accurate view of the scene.

Contact the Police

Contacting the police is the next step after getting yourself to safety. Calling 911 is necessary if the other driver needs medical attention. In fact, you are legally required to contact the authorities after an accident in certain states.

Some drivers prefer to not get the police involved in a car accident, especially a minor one. However, creating a police report of the incident will be valuable if you decide to process an insurance claim. Moreover, an officer serves as a third party who can examine the scene from a neutral perspective.

Make sure that you get the officer’s name, badge number, contact information, and a copy of the police report.

Document the Scene 

Now it is time to examine the scene and look at the damage. At this step, you want to focus on gathering the facts. While it can be hard to remain level-headed when looking at your crashed vehicle, you will need to collect as many details as possible.

Investigating your vehicle is crucial. Check your car from all angles to find all the damage. Take photos or videos. You must do the same with the other driver’s car. It will be difficult to remember every aspect of another’s vehicle, so either write it down, draw a sketch, or take pictures.

Besides identifying the damage, you need to document other details about the collision including the:

• Time and date of the accident.
• Address or approximate address of the collision.
• Directions both of you and the other driver were traveling.
• The approximate speed you were driving.
• Driving conditions and weather.

In addition, it will be useful to either write down or record yourself recalling exactly what happened leading up to the accident and how the accident occurred. You may not recall everything when speaking to your insurance company later on, thus recording it will benefit you.

If there are any witnesses, record their names and contact information. You may be asked about them as well.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

After collecting details about the accident, you will need to exchange information with the other driver. You will need both his or her personal contact information and details about the car. Collect the following details about the driver:

• Name.
• Address.
• Phone number or other contact details.
• The name of his or her insurance company.
• The insurance company policy number.

Important vehicle details to include are:

• Vehicle description.
• Make, model, and year.
• License plate number.
• VIN.

They will also likely require that you share the same information so make sure to have your insurance card with you.

It is important to remember to not admit responsibility or discuss fault with the driver. That is for your insurance companies to determine. It can be detrimental to your claim if you admit fault. So, limit your interaction with the driver to only exchanging information.

Decide if You Will File an Insurance Claim

After collecting all the important information about the collision, it’s time to decide if you will file an insurance claim. Many drivers are hesitant to do so especially if the accident was their fault or if it was minor.

Some think that they can just pay the other driver in cash for damages instead of having to suffer a premium increase. However, car repairs, even bumps, and scratches can cost hundreds of dollars or more. So, it is always best to call your insurer instead of dealing with the damage yourself.

If the car accident was not your fault, don’t let the other driver convince you to let them take care of it. Let their insurance company work it out with yours and save yourself the headache.

If you decide to go through with the claim, contact your insurance company and start the process. Additionally, remember to get in touch with a qualified car accident attorney before contacting the insurance providers for maximum compensation.

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