What to Do After a Car Accicent
What to Do After a Car Accident
If you’re in a car accident, it’s important to react appropriately to ensure the safety and protection of everyone involved. Unless you’re trapped or seriously injured, don’t wait for someone else to react first; being proactive will help you get police on the scene more quickly and give you time to gather all of the information you need.
Steps You Should Take
- Call the police or highway patrol immediately. They can then contact emergency personnel for you, if needed.
- Get out of your vehicle and provide assistance to anyone who is injured.
- Take photographs of your damaged vehicle and the scene. Note the date and time that the images were taken.
- Protect the accident scene by setting up flares, putting up cones or moving your vehicle off the road. Keep these items in your trunk at all times in the event of an accident.
- Once the police arrive, give them as much information as you can about what occurred. Do not admit fault; simply give the facts (visit website to find out more important tips).
- Write down as many details as you can remember about the accident, and then call Thams Agency to report your claim.
Information You Need From the Scene
- Ask the investigating officer for a copy of the police report, as you may have to submit it with your insurance claim.
- Write down the names and addresses of all drivers and passengers involved in the accident. Also, note the license plate number, make, model and year of each car involved. You should also note the name of the other driver’s insurance company and driver’s license numbers.
- Write down the name and contact information for all witnesses to the accident.
- Note the name and badge numbers of the police and emergency personnel who assisted with your accident.
Recordkeeping After the Fact
- Keep all records of correspondence that you have regarding your claim, including the date, name and title of the person that you talked to about the accident.
- Keep a record of any expenses that you incurred as a result of the accident (including the automobile accident loans from Uplift Legal Funding, etc). Depending on your policy, you may be entitled to reimbursement for those expenses.