What to Do After a Car Accident
Nobody plans to be involved in a car accident, but when it happens, it can quickly become one of life’s most stressful experiences. In the immediate aftermath of a collision, things happen fast and the details can become blurry. You may also feel at a loss about what to do after a car accident. Take a look at our post-accident checklist and, the next time a collision happens, you can avoid some common mistakes and come out in better shape.
At the Scene
Safety First: When a collision has occurred, attend to safety matters. If the vehicles are drivable, get them off the road and out of traffic by pulling to the shoulder or into a parking lot. If they aren’t drivable, turn on any operable emergency flashers and put out cones, reflective triangles, and/or flares, if you have them, to warn approaching drivers to slow down. Ascertain whether anyone is injured; if they are or think they might be, make sure 911 is called right away.
Make the Call: If the accident is serious, you most definitely want officers on the scene. Even if your accident was minor, it’s a good idea to call authorities so that a police report is filed. Some cities won’t dispatch officers to a crash if the incident wasn’t serious; if that is the case, you’ll have to file your own report with local authorities, which leads us to…
Documentation: Be proactive and meticulous at the crash site. Take photographs on your cellphone or a camera, capturing as many angles as you can of the accident scene as well as the damage to your vehicle and the other automobiles involved. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the other driver/drivers at the scene as well as the license plates on the other involved cars. Get a photo of the other driver’s/drivers’ licenses and insurance cards, as well. If you don’t have a camera available, draw a detailed diagram of the crash scene and take notes detailing how the collision happened, the direction each vehicle was traveling, license plate numbers and driver’s license numbers, and also contact information of those involved and any witnesses.
No Confessions: Whatever you do, don’t admit responsibility, even if you think the collision may have been your fault. Let police officers and insurance companies make that determination based on the facts. Also, when speaking with a medical responder, don’t make statements like, “I’m OK.” You may be injured and not know it. Instead, say something like, “I don’t think I need medical attention at this time.”
Post-Crash
After you’ve made it safely home from an accident scene, there is still more work to be done regarding making insurance claims. Whether your insurance or the other person’s will take care of matters will depend on who is found to be at fault. Even if you’re not at fault, your own insurance can be utilized in case the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Even if the crash wasn’t your fault, you can file a claim with your insurance company to get faster service—just be prepared to pay a deductible, which may or may not be reimbursed later. Get guidance from your insurance company regarding the best course of action to take.
If you are found to be at fault or otherwise need additional money to take care of matters in the aftermath of a collision, a lending company like CashMax Title & Loan can help you get the quick cash you need.
