There are more than 6 million car accidents in the United States, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Whether the impact was mild or severe, you may be too upset at these times to think clearly. That's why it's important to be well-informed before something happens. Here we explain what you should do, not only at the scene, but also afterwards, to make it easier to deal with the insurance company.
1. Find out if anyone is hurt
Never leave the location of a mishap, even a minor one.Safety is the most important thing; the rest can wait, says Rob Luna, auto insurance claims manager for the American Automobile Association in Costa Mesa, Calif.
"Make sure everyone is OK and see a doctor if you or someone else needs it," Luna says.
2. Find a safe place for you and your vehicle
If you're not injured and the accident is minor, carefully drive the car to the side of the road so it doesn't impede traffic. Keep your hazard lights on and place flares or reflective triangles to attract the attention of other drivers to slow them down. But if the accident was more serious, or if someone is injured, leave vehicles where they are.
Even if you don't think you'll be hurt, be very careful when you get out of the car, especially if you're on a busy highway or freeway. You may not be thinking logically at this time, which can put you in danger.
3. Notify the police
While it's important to report the accident, in some areas, the police may not go to the scene if the accident was minor, Luna says.
"Some police substances, rather than utilizing their assets to go to the mishap scene, presently really like to get the report internet," as indicated by Luna.
If a police officer visits the accident scene, make note of his or her name, identification number and contact information. Make certain to request a duplicate of the mishap report. If the police don't show up, you can request a copy of the report from the appropriate police authority or the adjuster handling your claim.
4. Gather important information
Use your cell phone camera to take pictures of documents or, with a pen and paper, write down the name, address, phone number and driver's license number of each person involved in the accident. If the driver's name does not match the name on the car's registration or insurance documents, find out what their relationship is to the owner of the vehicle.
Next, it collects all vehicle data, including year, make, model, color, license plate number and VIN. Also note the insurance policy number and phone number of the insurer in case that person does not report the accident, Luna recommends. Find out if there are any witnesses who are willing to give you their contact information and say what they saw.
Never reveal your social security number, maximum coverage on your insurance policy or other personal information.
5. Document the accident scene
Luna advises documenting the accident description in as much detail as possible. You can do this by using your smartphone to take photos and record videos and voice memos.
"Check the car where it was hit: was it in the front? On the driver's side? In the back? The easiest way is to take a picture of the entire car, as well as close-up pictures of the damage, both to your vehicle and the other person's.
Record the date and time of the accident and take photos or video of the entire scene, including brake marks and damage to other property. Also include street names and the direction each vehicle was traveling, both before and after the accident.
"What is often overlooked is the position of the cars [relative to] the road. This information is critical because it helps the adjuster reconstruct the accident when you file the claim," says Luna.
Make a diagram of the accident scene. Using your phone app to record voice memos, describe what happened while keeping the details clear in your mind. Also mention the weather and visibility conditions.
"The impact threw us forward and I slammed on the brakes hard. My car stopped just as it hit the bumper of the one in front of me," Schipani says. "At the time, I had no idea what had happened, and I remember being confused when I saw pieces of something black all over the back seat. It turned out that the back window was broken. We were shaking, yet nobody was harmed." .
Schipani turned on the hazard lights, double-checked that his son was OK and called 911.
"Then I approached the other driver. He wanted to blame wet leaves that had fallen on the road, but there were none," he says. "It was clear he had accelerated when he was distracted."
Schipani rightly chose not to argue with him. Tempers can flare after an accident. So if you think the other driver is drunk or drugged, or showing signs of aggressive behavior, trust your instincts, Luna advises.
"Stay in the car and don't talk to that person, because the police may have to intervene," he says.
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