Comments on How to Take Action After a Car Accident

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Make sure the police show up to the accident and get the witnesses numbers before you leave the scene.

In California, (I am not sure about other states) you must file a report with the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for most accidents. Even if you are the victim and you did not file, you could be liable.

If your car is being towed from the scene, talk with the tow driver on where you want to take your car, how much it'll cost, and how you'll remove your personal items from the car. In most cases, all of this, including who will do the tow, is negotiable.

Keep a one time use camera in your glove box to take reference photos of the accident, including any damage to the car or personal items, lisence plates and registration, and anything else that may be pertinent.

Check everyone in your vehicle and then check the other vehicle's passengers. Watch for traffic; don't become a statistic yourself! Use a cell phone or pay phone to call 911 or a local emergency number. Check pedestrians; they aren't immune to shrapnel.

Don't forget to check for damages on anything in your car, such as items in your trunk (especially if you have been hit from behind). The insurance company should cover repair or replacement of these items as well as damages to your car.

If your car is being towed from the scene, talk with the tow driver on where you want to take your car, how much it'll cost, and how you'll remove your personal items from the car. In most cases, all of this, including who will do the tow, is negotiable.

Check everyone in your vehicle and then check the other vehicle's passengers. Watch for traffic; don't become a statistic yourself! Use a cell phone or pay phone to call 911 or a local emergency number. Check pedestrians; they aren't immune to shrapnel.

In California, (I am not sure about other states) you must file a report with the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for most accidents. Even if you are the victim and you did not file, you could be liable.