Collision 101
What To Do When You Experience an Accident
Experiencing a car accident is a major source of stress, and it’s sometimes easy to overlook the important steps you should take to ensure that you are properly covered, both legally and with your insurance company. Here are a few tips to help you prevent making any costly mistakes.
At the Scene
The first, and most important thing you can do at the scene of an automobile accident is to ensure the safety of everyone at the scene. In order to protect yourself and other drivers, turn on your hazard lights, get to a safe location, and alert the authorities immediately. The next step is to check everyone involved for injuries and provide assistance to anyone in need.
Once the scene is secure, it’s important to gather as much information as possible, such as:
- Driver and vehicle information.
- Insurance information.
- Witness and passenger information.
- Notes and photographs detailing the scene of the accident.
Make sure to file a police report as soon as possible. The level of detail included in the police report will help ensure that processing an insurance claim is easier and more likely to work in your favor. Take the time to explain exactly what happened to the responding police officer, preferably while still at the scene of the accident. This information is used be your insurance company to determine fault and can potentially affect your insurance premiums.
