Car Accidents

What you should do after a car accident

Every year, thousands of vehicles are involved in traffic accidents. If you happen to be one of these unlucky people, would you know what to do after an accident? How you react to the aftermath of an accident can speed up the repair process and reduce costs. If you are involved in a car accident, try to stay calm and follow these helpful steps:

1. Keep an emergency kit in the car - Your emergency kit should include pens and paper, a disposable camera, a cell phone and a list of medical allergies or special conditions in case your passengers are seriously injured. You should also include a list of important contact numbers, including law enforcement agencies.

2. Think safety - For minor accidents with no serious injuries, the vehicles should be moved to the side of the road to keep traffic flowing and to prevent further accidents. If the vehicles can't be moved, make sure to turn on the hazard lights and set out warning triangles or cones.
3. Swap information - After an accident you should exchange the following information with the other driver: name, phone number, address, license plate number, driver's license number, insurance company and policy number. If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information too - this will be helpful if the parties involved have different versions of what happened.
4. Document the accident - Using your disposable camera, take pictures of the damage of all the vehicles involved. Also, record a written description of each of the vehicles, including the year, make, model, color, the location of the accident and how it happened. Involve the police for anything more than a minor collision.
5. Complete an accident report - Police officers might only respond to a major accident, or if there are injuries. But no matter the severity of the accident, drivers should file a vehicle accident report, which are available at police stations. The report will help accelerate the claims process with the insurance company.
6. Review your insurance policy - The insurance process after the accident will be easier if you're familiar with your policy and coverage. Find out whether or not your policy covers towing fees and rental cars while your vehicle is in the shop.
7. Decide who will pay for the damages - If the accident is minor, then it's easiest for the drivers to just handle the damages themselves without involving the insurance companies. For more serious accidents, you should file a claim with the insurance company for damage coverage and to avoid a lawsuit.

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