Everyone knows its common sense not to just drive off after a car accident. However, some people do just that, and you’d be surprised how many people don’t quite know the correct protocol following a wreck. Here are the dos and don’ts that can help you and the other persons involved to get help, have your damages paid for and avoid unnecessary entanglements with the law.
- Never leave the scene of an accident. Whether you hit a parked car or were involved in a serious fender bender with others on the road, stay put.
- Check to see if anyone was injured. If so, call for medical help immediately.
- If it is a parked car, try to find the owner somewhere in the vicinity. If you can not locate the car’s owner, take responsibility by reporting the accident and ensuring your insurance and vital information is available to the owner. Leaving a note with your contact info is a good idea.
- Assess the damage of each vehicle involved and exchange insurance and other important information with the other drivers. You also need to get license plate and VIN numbers, and it is a good idea to ask to see driver’s licenses and registrations. Do not give false information. This could easily land you in hot water.
- This is not the time for you and the other party or parties to squabble. Save the story for the police. You and the other persons need to be concerned with damages, injuries and gathering information.
- Be sure to get the names, addresses and phone numbers, as well as other contact info for any other passengers in the involved vehicles and any witnesses at the crash site.
- Call the police. In some places, they may not come to every accident, depending on the seriousness, but typically they do show up. Your insurance company and that of the others is going to want a police report.
- Videotape or photograph everything immediately. Use a camera phone or digital camera, if on hand. For those who do not own either of these, keeping a disposable camera handy is a great idea. Document the position of the cars, all damage done and any location landmarks and present obstacles.
- Notify your insurance company and that of the other involved party, should they be at fault, to ensure that all claims are handled in a timely manner.
- Get a handful of written estimates for damage repair. The insurance company is going to want to see a price range and will choose the most inexpensive route they can. If your car is totaled, you might simply receive the current cash value of your particular car. When it comes to your own policy, know the details, especially exclusions.
- If the damages exceed $750.00, you will have to report the accident to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. Failure to do so could find you without a license to drive.
- Don’t sign any statements between you and the other party regarding fault or promise of payment or anything releasing the other party from further liability if they have promised to pay something. Let the insurance company handles this. That’s their job, after all. You could wind up paying more than you are liable for if you enter into such and agreement without the mediation of your insurance provider.
- After filing your claim, follow-up. You want to be kept up to speed and the insurance company should not take long to get in touch with you. However, if you feel they are not getting on the ball, so to speak, contact your state’s Department of Insurance right away.
So, you had an accident. You don’t want it to affect your life for years to come, any more than it has to. Following this protocol will save you a lot of time, money, hassle and headache and unnecessary legal problems too.
Bookmark and Share
