There are a few essential steps to follow when you're involved in a car accident. One of the first things to do is stop your vehicle safely and contact 911. Filing a police report, gathering evidence, and not admitting fault are also key actions to take.
Car accidents happen for many reasons and can be very stressful. Once an accident happens, it's important to understand how to handle the situation. Remain calm and don't forget that there is a standard protocol.
You need to follow specific guidelines that are in your auto insurance contract. This way, you can make your claim for repairs and damage caused.
Remember to keep that in mind if you are in an accident, to carefully follow the essential steps we've outlined for you.
Even minor accidents need to be reported to your local police station, so make sure to notify them about the accident. This report is important for your insurance claim and needs to be done as soon as possible.
If the situation is severe and there is an emergency, then you need to call 911 before doing any of the above.
Remember to stop your car, remove yourself from it and leave it idle.
Do not try and move your car to another spot and drive it, as this can cause more damage and affect your claim. If you need to move your car because of traffic issues, then try to wait for police to arrive before you do so.
Contact your insurance company's emergency claims number immediately after the police and let them know about what has happened.
Your insurance provides assists with tow truck services (you may have to pay an extra fee for this if it is not apart of your policy) and small repairs.
Once you have organized towing services with your insurance provider and reported the accident, you need to get information about your accident.
Write down the events of the accident whilst it is still fresh in your mind, and try to take pictures with your mobile phone.
When you're in an accident, photographs of the scene are very helpful to your insurers. However, do not let third-party member take pictures of your drivers license, even if they insist.
Identity Theft is something you need to be cautious of, especially when dealing with someone you don't know.
You can, however, allow pictures of your vehicle and of the scene. Mobile photos of the accident scene are helpful, provided that they are clear and present an accurate representation of the accident.
Essential information to collect includes:
Your Insurance provider walks you through the steps of how to apply for your insurance claim.
Some insurers provide apps that make it very simple, but in other cases, you may need to go to the DMV or police station and fill out an Accident Report Form.
To find the best insurance for covering accidents, compare policies, here
