AutoCar Insurance coverage
Printed: February 13, 2017
Up to date: August 10, 2023
Image your self driving down the freeway. You’re specializing in the automobiles in entrance of you when immediately the driving force subsequent to you swerves. They crash into your car, which then veers into a 3rd automobile. Otherwise you’re backing out of a parking area when one other driver absent-mindedly slams proper into the rear of your automobile. Otherwise you’re at a cease mild when your foot slips off the brake pedal. You roll ahead, tapping the automobile in entrance of you. Have you learnt what to do after a automobile accident?
Each automobile crash is totally different. In any crash state of affairs, what you do after an accident can have as a lot impression because the collision itself. Figuring out how one can deal with the aftermath of an accident may also help you keep away from extra stress throughout an already tough second. Right here’s what to do instantly after a crash.
Keep on the Scene After a Automobile Accident
No matter whether or not you’re at fault, the identical procedures are the identical after a crash. All drivers concerned should abide by related legal guidelines. For instance, by no means go away the scene of an accident. It may be thought-about a “hit and run” when you do go away the scene of the accident. Other than being irresponsible, it’s additionally unlawful in most locations. Relying on the circumstances and placement of the crash, leaving the scene of an accident could be a site visitors infraction, a misdemeanor or perhaps a felony, with authorized repercussions to match.
Except somebody was driving below the affect, is behaving erratically, or in any other case provides the authorities a motive to arrest or detain them, all drivers might be free to depart after the state of affairs has been appropriately handled.
Accidents After a Automobile Accident
In case you or your passengers are injured, name 911 or have somebody do it for you. In case you’re not injured, examine on the opposite driver and passengers concerned within the crash. Search medical consideration for them immediately if wanted.
Minor Automobile Accidents
If the accident is minor, pull over as quickly as you are able to do so safely. Assess the injury to the autos, if any, and alternate info with the opposite driver. Normally, all drivers concerned will report a declare to their insurance coverage firm, however you don’t should.
If there aren’t any accidents and the injury is minimal, you could wish to deal with the repairs your self with out involving the automobile insurance coverage firms or the police. If one driver is clearly at fault, they might supply to reimburse the opposite driver for the price of the repairs. Earlier than you determine whether or not to file an insurance coverage declare, contemplate that what would possibly appear to be small injury at first look could develop into one thing extra critical.
Though there may be often no have to report a really minor accident (except native legislation calls for it), when you consider the accident was the fault of the opposite driver, or nobody’s fault, name the police* to have them put collectively a report. Having that official report may also help your case in a dispute. And if the opposite driver is behaving aggressively or unusually, don’t hesitate to name the police.*Notice that in lots of areas, the police could not reply to an accident that happens on non-public property if nobody was injured.
Critical Automobile Accidents
Even when there aren’t any accidents, name for emergency help if any of the autos concerned are critically broken or if there are any indicators of a automobile hearth.
Whether it is protected and doable to drive your car, transfer it to the aspect of the highway or one other much less harmful location close by.
In case you can not transfer your automobile, or when you and the others are standing together with a busy highway, attempt to keep calm and be as cautious as doable whereas ready for the police to reach. After a automobile accident, passengers and autos are in danger for being struck once more by passing automobiles. Hold your hazard lights on and when you have cones or flares available, use them.
Watch out for Towing Scams After a Automobile Accident
Sadly, automobile accidents and different instances of disaster could encourage scammers to take benefit to allow them to make a revenue. In case you’re concerned in a critical automobile accident, sometimes you or the police will name a tow truck firm to convey your car to a close-by auto restore store or different facility. Nevertheless, the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau (NICB) warns of potential tow truck scams. In these circumstances, tow truck operators will arrive to the scene despite the fact that they weren’t referred to as and supply to tow your car. They sometimes cost exorbitant towing charges and produce automobiles to dishonest restore outlets. As soon as your car is at one among these services, scammers can maintain it hostage till a big insurance coverage firm cost is made.
The NICB has recognized cities like Chicago and Philadelphia as among the “most problematic” areas for towing-related scams, however these conditions can occur wherever.
To keep away from tow truck scams, the NICB recommends taking the next steps to guard your self:
- Don’t give permission for an unsolicited tow truck driver to maneuver your car. Respected towing firms won’t ever present as much as the scene of the accident with out being referred to as first.
- Don’t present tow truck operators along with your private info. This consists of your insurance coverage and private lien holder info.
- Ask for identification. Search for signage on the tow truck and ensure it matches any documentation the corporate supplies you.
- In case you’re questioning the operator’s legitimacy, notify the police. If one thing doesn’t appear proper, it most likely isn’t.
You must solely give tow truck firms permission to maneuver your car after they’ve supplied you with:
- A printed checklist that outlines storage charges and different fees. If the costs appear too excessive, ask your insurance coverage firm or the police to contact one other towing operator.
- Documentation that reveals the place your automobile is being towed. That is particularly essential if the power isn’t one that you simply chosen.
Doc Harm After a Automobile Accident
When it’s protected for you to take action, doc the injury to your automobile, and, if doable, the accident scene. In case you can, take pictures and write down what occurred in as a lot element as you keep in mind. Take into account drawing a diagram of the accident scene. Your insurance coverage firm could have a cellular app that allows you to file the main points of the accident and the injury to your automobile. The app also can allow you to start the method of reporting the declare.
In case you’re not capable of doc the main points of the crash immediately, accomplish that as quickly as you possibly can. Even the smallest particulars which can be contemporary in your thoughts quickly after an accident may be related if you describe the incident to your insurance coverage consultant. Additionally, you will be glad you’ve recorded this info if the opposite driver finally ends up disputing your model of occasions down the road.
Change Data After a Automobile Accident
When exchanging info with the opposite driver concerned within the crash, you’ll have to supply particulars like your:
- Identify
- Insurance coverage firm
- Coverage quantity
- Automobile’s license plate quantity
In the US, the quantity of knowledge you need to share varies by state. That is additionally true of different authorized necessities for drivers in automobile accidents. For instance, some states require drivers to file a report with the Division of Motor Autos if there isn’t any police report or if the injury to a car exceeds a specified quantity.
What To not Say After a Automobile Accident
On the accident scene, don’t focus on the main points of the accident with anybody other than the police or different authorities. Don’t admit fault, even when you assume you may need brought on the accident, except you’re selecting to deal with a really minor and clear-cut incident (e.g., you ran into and scratched a parked automobile) with the opposite driver privately.
While you file a declare, you possibly can focus on the occasion intimately with representatives out of your insurance coverage firm and, if it involves it, the legal professionals they assign to your case.
Reporting a Declare After a Automobile Accident
To file a declare, you possibly can contact your insurance coverage firm on-line, by telephone or by way of their cellular app. You’ll converse with a consultant who will ask you to explain, intimately, the circumstances of the accident. They will even wish to find out about any accidents or injury to the autos concerned. You could have the chance to submit your individual pictures of the injury utilizing a guided on-line software. These pictures assist begin the method of documenting car injury.
Your insurance coverage firm will signify you in any dealings with the opposite driver or their respective insurance coverage firms. They’ll additionally allow you to as you navigate the post-accident course of by answering your questions and helping with duties. Your insurance coverage firm can present steerage the place to have your automobile repaired or renting a alternative car.
Even the most effective, most cautious motorists can meet with dangerous luck—and dangerous drivers. So though it’s horrifying to ponder being in an accident, it’s a good suggestion to arrange for the likelihood. Along with researching what to do in case of a crash, it’s additionally useful to know the legal guidelines of the jurisdictions the place you drive. You must also evaluation what your auto insurance coverage coverage covers. Like being a great driver, holding your self conscious and knowledgeable will allow you to keep protected on the highway.
What causes site visitors jams and automobile crashes? Study what harmful driving habits contribute to site visitors jams and automobile crashes. Discover out how one can keep away from them to cut back your probability of getting an accident.
This text supplied by The Hartford Insurance coverage, a Bolder Insurance coverage associate.
