What to Do When You’re Involved in a Collision
It is always unfortunate and disconcerting when there is a car accident. Most people drive around with the attitude of thinking that it will never happen to them, but unfortunately it often does. Even the most experienced drivers find themselves involved in a collision. If so, what are the next steps to take?
First of all, you need to have car insurance. If you are one of the thousands of people who do not have car insurance, then you will find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. The cost of repair for a few minor scratches and dents can be exorbitantly expensive, and this is only if the damage is minor. The price of the repairs for a major accident can be unrealistically expensive! Imagine if the accident you are involved in was YOUR fault, and now you are responsible for the repairs to yourself and the other party’s vehicle. Now you get the idea, there is no way you can NOT have car insurance.
So let’s assume you’re one of those wise people who do have car insurance. What do you do in the moments following a collision? First of all, you stop the car if it is still moving, and you check to see that there is nobody hurt. The safety of yourself and your passengers is much more important than the cost of ANY car. If there have been any injuries sustained, phone an ambulance immediately, and do not move the injured person.
The next thing you need to do is ensure that your vehicle is not in the way of oncoming traffic. If it is safe to do so, you must drive your vehicle to the side shoulder of the road. Light flares or put up hazard signs to warn other traveling vehicles about the obstruction up ahead.
Phone the police, if necessary to do so, and inform them of your location and the incidence of the accident. Next up, phone your car insurance company. You need to tell them all the specifics of the accident. Some car insurance companies will send a representative to take in the details of the scene. Your car insurance company will advise you as to the best tow truck company to use and what steps to take.
Never leave the scene of an accident without obtaining the name, contact numbers, driver’s license numbers and even the Identity Numbers of the other people involved in the accident. Their car insurance company details will also prove valuable to you when submitting your claim. Any contact details of witnesses are vital, as well as the names and badge numbers of any police officers on the scene.
Whilst the collision is still fresh in your memory, grab a piece of paper and draw the sequence of events that led to the accident. This includes the direction both vehicles were traveling and how the accident occurred. This will prove extremely useful as it is common for insurance companies to request a drawing of the incident. There is no better time to relay the happenings than immediately after the accident has occurred.
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment