How to Take Action After a Car Accident
U.S. Department of Transportation statistics indicate that there were nearly 7 million car accidents in 1997. If you drive, the odds are good that you will have to file a car insurance claim at some point.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Police Report
- Telephones
- Car Insurance
- Spiral Notebooks
- Writing Pens
- Cameras
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1
Seek aid for any apparent injuries.
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2
Call the police.
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3
Notify security if the accident occurs on private property.
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4
Give the authorities complete and accurate information.
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5
Ask that a written report be made and get the report's identifying number.
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6
Secure the names, addresses and driver's license numbers of other involved parties.
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7
Get the other car's license number and state of issue.
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8
Call your insurance agent and relay the pertinent information.
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9
Discuss with your agent whether to file a claim through your own insurance company or pursue a liability claim against the other party.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Take a picture of the vehicles and accident scene if you have a camera.
Find and secure names of witnesses.
Do not admit fault or discuss the accident with other involved parties.
Don't leave the scene of an accident until all relevant information has been exchanged.
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Comments
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Sep 25, 2006
Even if you do not have any broken bones, if you were in pain enough to go to the doctor, you had an injury. This is per my insurance company. Any related doctor bill or chiropractor bill, X-ray costs, etc can be submitted in your medical claim against the other's insurance. You have 2 years to file the claim, as insurance companies seem to prefer you to wait until you finish all treatment for the accident before you submit your claim. Since most health insurance will reject medical bills for car accidents, you may have to submit a medical claim to the auto insurance. Be honest--they will look for fraud or medical bills that do not seem to be related to the car accident. -
Sep 11, 2006
I saved myself a traffic ticket by admitting fault (in a minor accident) when questioned by the police. The police said that had there been a question as to who was to blame, they would have been forced to determine the blame and write a ticket to the offender. Usually the person who rear-ends the other is to blame, regardless of how poor the driving of the person in front.
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Sep 11, 2006
I saved myself a traffic ticket by admitting fault (in a minor accident) when questioned by the police. The police said that had there been a question as to who was to blame, they would have been forced to determine the blame and write a ticket to the offender. Usually the person who rear-ends the other is to blame, regardless of how poor the driving of the person in front.
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Mar 31, 2006
No matter what kind of hurry you're in, how much pressure the other driver(s) involved put on you, or how minor the incident is, call the cops. People insist that calling the cops is unnecessary in a lot of cases. Though it may sound cynical, do you really want to trust a complete stranger in this kind of situation? I recommend the following steps for handling an accident: - Get out, make sure you're OK and get to a safe area if you're in immediate danger. - Immediately check on the other driver involved and ask, "Are you OK? Do you need an ambulance?" - Call the cops (dial 911) - In Georgia, moving the cars will screw with the police report. Don't do it unless you absolutely have to. - Exchange driver's license and insurance information. - Wait for the cops to come, and when they do, calmly (calmly) explain exactly what happened. Don't leave out any details. Though it may be tempting to apologize if you're at fault - don't. Everyone knows this rule - the other driver shouldn't be offended (if he/she is reasonable).
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Feb 01, 2006
As much as an accident might scare you and perhaps even throw you into a panicky state, you absolutely must keep your calm and remain at the scene of the accident. Take a few deep breaths and "do what you gotta do." Some things in life are very unpleasant, but you'd be surprised at the things you can handle that you thought you couldn't. If you let your irrational fears and worries get the better of you and you flee the scene of an accident, you have just committed a crime--and, depending on the circumstances of the accident, perhaps a very serious one. Just remember: what will occur at the scene of an accident--no matter how bad--will be hundreds of times better than being convicted of hit-and-run, manslaughter, or a similar crime, and landing yourself in prison.
