5 Things You Should Do If You Are Involved in An Accident
Vehicular accidents occur when we least expect them, and no matter who or what is at fault, being involved in one can be scary and leave you feeling unprepared.
In fact, knowing what to do in an accident is crucial to your health and can save you and people you know time and money.
That is why we urge you to follow these steps if you experience a collision.
Stop in the Name of the Law
Whether the extent of damage is large or appears small, stop immediately, and report the accident to the police station nearest you. This will prevent your being charged with hit and run.
Check for Injuries
Make sure no one was injured in the accident. If there are injuries, take the hurt party to the hospital or call an ambulance. See a doctor promptly if you think you may have received injuries.
To Tow or Not to Tow
Do not allow an unfamiliar garage to tow or repair your vehicle.
For Your Information
Write a description of the accident as soon as possible, and take pictures of the scene of the collision.
Discover what accident reports need to be filled out, the minimal damage that must be reported and how soon a report must be filed and the State Department notified.
Insurance Assurance
If a claim is small and there are no injuries from an accident, some people may not notify their insurance company in order to avoid an increase in premiums.
However, settling a claim on your own can be dangerous and leave you open to accusations of injury in the future.
To help prevent this from happening, include a release statement on the back of any check you write to the other party that says something to the effect of, “Acceptance of this check will constitute full and complete settlement of all claims involved in the accident of (date)”.
If you do prefer to get your insurance company involved, make a note of the name of the company representative you speak with, so you know who to contact again if there’s trouble.
Final Thoughts
Being involved in an accident is something we hope you never have to experience. However, if you do, knowing the right steps to take can help protect you and others involved from further injury, vehicle damage and legal trouble.
Print our free Accident Report Brochure, and place it in your glove box, so you are always prepared when you are on the road. And if you have any questions about accidents or collision repair, get in touch today!