How To

How to handle a car accident

Member
By pete1775
eHow Community Member
(2 Ratings)

This article will tell you what information to have and what to do in the event of a car accident.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • All insurance company names and policy numbers
  • All parties names, addresses, and phone numbers.
  • All vehicle year, makes, and models.
  1. Step 1

    Make sure you and everyone in your car is ok from the accident and check on the other parties involved.

  2. Step 2

    Call the police to report the loss if they will write a report, have them do so as they gather all the information you will need for the company. Remember to get the case number!

  3. Step 3

    If your car is driveable drive it home from the accident. If you car needs a tow try to have it towed to you home or a body shop rather than an impound lot, this will help everyone avoid fees they charge.

  4. Step 4

    Call the insurance company you think insures the at fault party involved in the loss. If you are not sure call your insurance company and report the loss. Of course if you are at fault report the loss to your company as well. Provide the company with all the information above as well as a description of the accident. They will be able to direct you from there.

Tips & Warnings
  • Talk to any insurance company that contacts you, only answer questions you are comfortable answering, they should stick to general questions about how the accident happened.
  • Cooperate with the companies and do not move forward without them seeing the vehicle. Doing this can result in damages not being covered and money coming out of your pocket.
  • Review your policy and know the coverage you have so there are no surprises.
  • Note every accident and situation is different always use your judgement as to what is right to do at the time.

Comments  

Starlet72 said

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on 5/7/2008 2 pieces of advice: 1 - If you are injured, dont be shy about getting an ambulance to take you to the hospital. That's what they are there for! Even if its just simple neck pain or back pain, it could be something much more serious that could be injured further if you try to drive yourself. 2 - As soon as possible call injury lawyer Dan Buttafuoco at 1-800-Now-Hurt for representation in your case (as long as it was not your fault...he only does plantiffs work). I called him when i was in an accident and he handled my case with the utmost care and got me a settlement that paid all my bills, paid for time missed from work, and much more on top of that for my future pain and suffering and medical expenses. I never have to worry about it now, it was the best phone call i ever made! Tell him Kristen sent you! (you can also check him out online at www.1800NowHurt.com). And he has clients i

torque63 said

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on 11/13/2007 Never admit to causing an accident as this may come up if it ever went to court. Give essential information and answer only the questions asked by officials.

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