Seems a little advice is needed....
No one ever plans on having an accident but there are several steps you can take to make the results a little harder to swallow. I won't get into the insurance aspect here as that is most likely based on the laws of the State it happens in and getting the details ironed out is the job of your insurance company.
First, after you've come to a stop, make sure YOU are ok. Anything broken or bleeding? Take your time. Believe it or not hundreds of accident victims get hit AFTER an accident by wondering into the path of passing traffic.
Second, are the passengers ok? They should stay right where they are as long as there is no fire threat and the vehichle is not in any danger of being hit again. DO NOT let your passengers wonder around for the same reason as above.
Stay with your car! Do not go running accross the highway to see if the passengers in the other car are ok! Again, you might get hit.
More people are killed after an accident than in the accident because they get hit afterwards while wondering around and get hit by another motorist.
Make sure someone calls 911....Make sure again!
When talking to the other driver, exchange information such as Your name, address and driver's license number. Provide the car license number and the owners name, address, and the insurance carrier information.
DO NOT get into a discussion about the aspects surrounding the accident!
Be polite no matter what. Give the police all the information he/she asks for, but do not volunteer any information.
Get names, address and phone numbers of every passenger in either car and anyone standing around that might be a witness.
These items should be with you and in an easy to reach location. Put a disposable camera, a pen or pencil and a blank accident report you get from your insurance carrier into a zip-lock bag. Take plenty of pictures...use every picture in the camera. Fill in all the blanks.
Do all of this any time there is an accident...minor or not! Rock into your windsheild, any damage caused by another party, take pictures! Get information at the scene. Turn it all over to your insurance agent. It's time he earned those high premiums!
I could go on, but can only type with my left hand....:| It SUCKS!!!
Anyone want to add something here, go right ahead. I've seen too many Members post about their accident and it seemed these basic actions would have made the accident easier to deal with.
No one ever plans on having an accident but there are several steps you can take to make the results a little harder to swallow. I won't get into the insurance aspect here as that is most likely based on the laws of the State it happens in and getting the details ironed out is the job of your insurance company.
First, after you've come to a stop, make sure YOU are ok. Anything broken or bleeding? Take your time. Believe it or not hundreds of accident victims get hit AFTER an accident by wondering into the path of passing traffic.
Second, are the passengers ok? They should stay right where they are as long as there is no fire threat and the vehichle is not in any danger of being hit again. DO NOT let your passengers wonder around for the same reason as above.
Stay with your car! Do not go running accross the highway to see if the passengers in the other car are ok! Again, you might get hit.
More people are killed after an accident than in the accident because they get hit afterwards while wondering around and get hit by another motorist.
Make sure someone calls 911....Make sure again!
When talking to the other driver, exchange information such as Your name, address and driver's license number. Provide the car license number and the owners name, address, and the insurance carrier information.
DO NOT get into a discussion about the aspects surrounding the accident!
Be polite no matter what. Give the police all the information he/she asks for, but do not volunteer any information.
Get names, address and phone numbers of every passenger in either car and anyone standing around that might be a witness.
These items should be with you and in an easy to reach location. Put a disposable camera, a pen or pencil and a blank accident report you get from your insurance carrier into a zip-lock bag. Take plenty of pictures...use every picture in the camera. Fill in all the blanks.
Do all of this any time there is an accident...minor or not! Rock into your windsheild, any damage caused by another party, take pictures! Get information at the scene. Turn it all over to your insurance agent. It's time he earned those high premiums!
I could go on, but can only type with my left hand....:| It SUCKS!!!
Anyone want to add something here, go right ahead. I've seen too many Members post about their accident and it seemed these basic actions would have made the accident easier to deal with.
