11 Important Steps After a Car Crash
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 6 million accidents occur each year in the United States. It doesn’t matter if you were in a minor collision or a major one, you might be too confused to think clearly. So it is important to do some research ahead of time. These are the steps to take at the Car Crash scene as well as afterward to help make the claims process simpler.
You can determine if someone is hurt
You should never leave the accident site, even if it’s minor. Safety should be your top priority. All other considerations can be put on hold, according to Car Crash Rob Luna, group manager for auto claims at American Automobile Association in Costa Mesa (California).
Keep yourself and your car out of danger
If you were not seriously injured in the accident, then drive your car along the side of the road to ensure it does not impede traffic. You can keep your hazard light on, and you can set up flares or reflective triangles to signal to other drivers to slow down. If the crash is more serious, or anyone is hurt, please leave the vehicles there.
Even if your injuries are not serious, you should be cautious about getting out of the car. It is possible that you are not thinking clearly, which could place you at risk.
Get in touch avec the police Car Crash
Luna says while it is vital to report any accident, there may be instances when the police are not able to respond.
“Some police departments are switching to online reporting instead of dedicating resources at the scene,” he said.
Notify the police officer of your contact information and badge number if they arrive. The officer should give you a copy the accident report. If the police are not present, you can request copies of the accident report from the law enforcement officer or the accident insurance adjuster handling the claim.
Car Crash Collect important information
Take photos of documents with your phone camera. Or, use pen and paper for the names, address and driver’s licence numbers of all parties involved in an accident. Determine the relationship of the driver to the vehicle’s owner if his or her name does not match the car’s registration.
Next, collect all vehicle information, including year, make/model, color, license plate number, and vehicle identification numbers. Luna suggests that you obtain the insurance policy number as well as the phone number of the company in case someone else doesn’t report the accident. Find out if witnesses will be willing to share their contact information with you and any details about what they saw.
Never share your Social Security Number, coverage limits of your insurance policy, or any other personal information.
Take pictures of the scene
Luna recommends that you take as many photos as possible and use your smartphone’s voice, video, and camera features to record the accident.
“Check the impact on the car. Was it frontal, driver’s, or rear. It is easiest to take a photo of your entire vehicle and close-up pictures of the damage done by the other party.
Note the date and the time of the accident. Take photos or videos of the entire scene including skid marks and damage. Take note of street names as well as the direction that each vehicle was traveling before and during the accident.
“One thing that’s often forgotten is the location of the cars relative to the street. Luna says this information is vital because it assists the adjuster in re-creating the accident when you report the claim.
Make a sketch of the crash scene. You can use the voice memo app on the phone to describe what happened. Include information about the weather or visibility.
Avoid talking to people on the sidelines about responsibility
Denise Schipani, 54 and her son, were stopped at a red light near Huntington Station, New York when a car drove into theirs.
She says that she was jerked forward, and she braked hard. “I stopped as soon as I touched the bumper of my car in front of us,” she said. “In that moment I didn’t understand what had happened. I also remember feeling confused when I saw small black pieces scattered all over the back of my seat. The back window had cracked. “We were all shaking but nobody was hurt.”
- Schipani put on her safety glasses, double-checked that her son was okay and called 911.
- “Then, he tried to blame wet leaves on the road, but there were none,” she says. “He tried to blame wet leaves, but there were none,” she said. It was evident that he was distracted while accelerating.”
- Schipani opted to not argue. Luna recommends that you don’t argue with Schipani if you think the other driver was aggressive or impaired.
- “Remain in your vehicle and do not approach the person. A police intervention may be necessary,” he advises.
Tow truck service is available if necessary
Luna says it depends on how badly your car was damaged. Motor club memberships include roadside assistance. A tow truck company may be called by the police, while some car manufacturers offer driver assistance programs.
Luna suggests that you don’t trust any tow truck that appears at a crash scene by its own accord. Luna also warns against taking credit for the company’s credentials.
Get in touch with your insurance company
Although it might be tempting to strike a cash settlement to avoid having to file an insurance claim, failure to notify your insurer after a collision can make you liable to any damages resulting from the accident.
Schipani was told by Schipani’s insurance agent that her car was a total loss because the potential costs of repairs were greater than the car’s actual value. After that, Schipani learned that the driver who hit and killed her had no insurance.
She said, “They stated it was possible to extract money but they felt it would be more beneficial to handle the claim.” “My advice: Never leave the scene for any minor fender bender without a police log, especially if it is clearly and clearly not your fault.”
If you have a case like Schipani’s, an insurance claims professional will help you to navigate your options.
Luna says that if the insurance coverage of the other party is not sufficient to cover your damages then your insurance professional can review your policy and determine if there are any coverages that may be available.
You may be eligible for a liability waiver if your insurance company decides that you weren’t at fault. This will allow you to avoid having to pay your deductible.
High-tech is your best option
Many insurance companies now offer virtual tools, such as a mobile application that will allow you to initiate the claim process online. Call the toll-free number or check your proof insurance card for details. Your insurance company will request a lot more information and you may be asked to use a remote inspection tool from your smartphone.
In addition to capturing details about the crash, some insurance companies can arrange for a rental vehicle, a tow truck, or other roadside assistance via the app.
Luna suggests that you keep in touch with your insurer after reporting an accident. Luna also recommends that you organize all accident-related documents as you work with your adjuster on processing your claim.
See your doctor
Although you may feel fine immediately following an accident some injuries will become obvious after several days. A minor impact can result in serious head and spinal injuries. Seek medical attention if you have any unusual symptoms or pain.
Your auto insurance policy will usually cover injuries sustained in a car accident. You should document any physical damage.
Be proactive
Preparedness makes it easier to stay Car Crash calm after an incident. Luna suggests that you download the app or forms of your insurance company to help you navigate through the insurance claim process.
Dedicate a space in your car where you can keep your registration, proofs, insurance card, contact information, as well as a list of important things to remember on the scene of an accident.