More than 5 million car accidents happen in the US annually. Luckily, most involve only property damage – that is, damage to the vehicles rather than the people involved. However, whether a severe accident or a minor fender bender, you may be too shocked to think clearly, so educating yourself ahead of time is crucial. You could take steps to protect your interests if you were involved in a collision. Of course, the first thing to do is to see if anyone in your vehicle has been injured. Also, check on the other driver if another vehicle was involved.
In these cases, your car insurance will play the most significant part. Even if you have insurance, now it’s the time to decide whether it’s worth it to change insurance providers or if you’re getting the most value out of your premium. It’s wise to find a reputable brokerage to assist you in finding the best prices for your car insurance. Start by looking up car insurance rate quotes online to find the one with the best reviews. Your insurance must include direct compensation-property damage, third-party liability, statutory accident benefits coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage.
In addition, read about what you should do at the scene and afterward to make the claims process go more smoothly.
Get Your Car Out of the Road
If possible, carefully drive to the side of the road, so you don’t obstruct traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and place reflective emergency triangles or flares to warn other drivers. If the accident is more serious, you must leave the cars where they are. Even if you believe you haven’t been injured, proceed with caution when exiting your vehicle, especially if the collision occurred on a busy street or highway.
What to Do With Your Car After the Collision?
If the accident isn’t too severe and your car isn’t completely destroyed, chances are you’ll probably need to change some of your car parts. And we all know that car parts can be pretty expensive, especially if you order them from a specialized auto store. So, we suggest getting used parts that are much cheaper than new ones. It’s best to search for local companies selling used auto parts at a reasonable price. For example, if you live in Philadelphia, you should consider Orthodox Auto Co as the best place to find the car parts that suit your vehicle and fall within your budget.
Contact the Police
Even if none of the people involved in the accident is seriously injured, it’s prudent to contact the authorities. A police report may be required to file a claim with your insurance, even if it’s only for car damage. Ensure you give an accurate record. When the cops arrive, tell them everything to the best of your ability. Inform the officer if you are unaware of specific facts. Make no misstatements about the facts. If you’re uncertain whether you’ve been injured, say “not sure” instead of “no.” The pain caused by accidents often becomes apparent hours after the injury. In addition, ensure that statements made by the other participants are correct.
Taking down the officers’ names, badge numbers, and contact information is best. Then, get a copy of the report. The police might not show up if the collision isn’t severe. In that case, you can get a copy of the report from the insurance adjuster handling the claim or the law enforcement office.
Collect Important Information
Take pictures of documents with your phone camera, or write down the names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers of every participant in the accident. Also, photograph the vehicles if there’s damage. If you’re injured, take pictures. But you shouldn’t interfere with the ongoing investigation. If you can’t photograph the scene immediately, do so as soon as possible afterward.
Collect all the vehicle information from the other driver, such as the make and model, year, license plate number, vehicle identification number, and color. We also recommend obtaining the insurance policy number as well as the phone number of the company in case the other party fails to report the accident. Check if the witnesses are willing to give details about what they saw. Be careful not to give out your Social Security number, insurance policy coverage limits, or personal information.
Begin the Claims Process
We know it will be tempting to strike a cash deal to avoid filing an insurance claim, but failing to notify your insurance company after a collision can leave you liable for the accident’s consequences. No matter whose fault the accident was it’s best to notify your insurance company that an accident has happened. But then, remember that you can file an insurance claim with your insurer or the other driver’s insurance company.
Insurance companies usually allow you to file a claim over the phone, via their mobile app, or online. Your company will require basic information about the collision to open a claim. You will be assigned a claims representative to assist you with the claims process. Remember that it’s best to notify your insurance company right away. Many policies necessitate immediate reporting and complete cooperation. If the other driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your losses, your insurance company can review your policy to see if any coverage might cover it.
Seek Medical Attention
As we mentioned, motor vehicle collisions frequently result in injuries that aren’t immediately apparent. The pain can appear even two days after the accident. So, unless you are sure you weren’t hurt, seek medical attention in the emergency room.
Unfortunately, even in minor collisions, you can suffer a severe injury to the spinal cord. You may have suffered a concussion if you lost consciousness or were dazed a little after the accident. If you leave your injuries untreated, it can lead to cognitive changes.
Wrapping Up
Of course, you’ll feel overwhelmed after a collision, but you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’re prepared and seek help, you’ll stay calm easily. And the most important thing is to have quality insurance to have peace of mind even in the worst situations.
