What To Do After a Car Accident

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Some of the best drivers on the roads can be victims of a car crash. But regardless of who is at fault, car accidents are often unexpected and stressful. Knowing what to do after a car accident can help you handle the situation in the most appropriate way.

Immediately after the crash

While seated in the vehicle after is comes to a full stop check for injuries on yourself first and then any passengers.  If medical attention is needed call 911 for an ambulance.  If anyone is severely injured leave them in place and do not move them at all.  The only reason you would want to try and move an injured person is if their life is in further danger where they are at.  If they were ejected and lying in the middle of the road or if the vehicle starts burning.  Otherwise, without the proper training, you might do more damage than good.

Before you get out to inspect the damage check your mirrors very carefully and make sure you can safely exit the vehicle. Look around the vehicle to see where you ended up and what is going on around you.  People can either be callous and just driving past or they may be pulling over to help.  You don’t want to step out in front of a moving vehicle.  You will probably be a little disoriented and may not even know it.  Take a second or two before you make a move to make sure you are safe.

In minor crashes, where it is just a fender bender and no one is hurt in either vehicle, you should do your best to relocate the cars involved to a safer place, away from traffic. Since the vehicles involved in the crash are no longer moving with traffic, you can turn on the hazard lights to improve the visibility of the impacted vehicles.  But before you do this take some pictures of the vehicles impact both close up and full accident scene.  Once you have that info you can pull as far off the side of the road as you can or if there is a parking lot nearby pull over there.  Depending on the severity of the crash, you may choose to call the police and ask for assistance as you work to resolve the problem. As soon as possible, you should make notes about the accident such as what happened, specific damage to vehicles involved, any witness information you may obtain, etc.

Be sure to see a copy of the other driver’s vehicle registration and insurance card and compare them with the name on their license. If any of the names don’t match, make a note of the name and the relationship they have with the person.  Take photos so you have the record. It is easier to just snap a pic than try and write everything down.

Vehicle insurance

After worrying over your health or the health of your passengers, you may start thinking about your vehicle, insurance coverage and rates. When discussing what happened in the accident, you should not tell anyone that the crash was your fault– even if you think it was. Honestly state the facts of what happened and limit your discussion of the accident to police and insurance agents as much as possible.  You do not need to talk to the other vehicles for anything more than their information.  This is one of those situations where it is best to not go running off at the mouth but it is very difficult because of all the adrenaline.

Once you have photo’s of everything and if an office is present and releases you then you can leave the scene.  If you get into an accident, no matter how small absolutely NEVER EVER LEAVE THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT.

Prevent an insurance increase

Car crashes can sometimes lead to insurance increases, however, there are some ways to reduce your chances of this occurring. Many auto insurance providers have programs in place, such as accident forgiveness, that prevent your rates from increasing if you meet various criteria. Insurance rates often provide leeway for long-time customers and drivers that have proven to be safer drivers. Safer drivers are often those without many traffic infractions or crashes on their driver history, or those that have taken a traffic safety course for an insurance discount. In addition to this, it may be possible that you will not face an insurance increase based on who was at fault in the accident.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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