If you are involved in an accident, it can frighten you to the point that you cannot remain very calm. As soon as you are calmer, and know that you are not injured and will be ok, there are a few important things to do before you can file for insurance compensation.
If there are damages or if someone is injured in an accident you are involved in, you will be going against the law if you leave the scene of that accident before the authorities say you can. At times, some people will flee the scene of an accident, although this does not happen often. You should always notice what the other vehicle’s license plate reads after you are thinking more calmly. When it is safe to do so, secure the area, turn off the ignition and turn on hazard warnings to alert oncoming traffic of the situation.
When there have been injuries or if the collision has taken place in a dangerous spot, call 911 or another emergency response number for that area. When anyone is fleeing the scene of an accident they have been involved in, call the emergency response number. By all means, do not admit to any cause for the accident; remain calm, even if it is obvious who is at fault.
Start with exchanging driver information; names, addresses, phone numbers-cellular-if there is one available, plus vehicle registration and insurance details. Then, make notes detailing the accident; make a map showing the location of nearby streets by name, the position of the vehicles, show the direction each vehicle was traveling, the point of impact, skid marks, and detail all damages. Be sure to tell the color, make, and model of each vehicle involved in the collision when giving details of the accident.
It would also be quite beneficial if you were to have a camera or cell phone that takes pictures.
Get information from as many witnesses as possible and get their phone numbers and vehicle registration also. Make notes of concerning the condition of others involved in the accident, if they are impaired or not or may have been distracted by something when driving. Someone may have been eating or talking on a cell phone or been distracted by poor weather conditions or bad roads.
If you have reported the accident to the police, and have their permission to leave the scene, call the insurance company you do business with and tell about the accident and your involvement in it and the damages you face because of it. In the event that your car is not drivable, your insurance coverage may provide a rental car.
At this time, the insurance company will make an appointment to examine the damaged auto and snap a few pictures for their files. After the insurance company has made an assessment of the damage on the vehicle they will inform you of whether or not the vehicle can be repaired. If the vehicle can be repaired, it will have to be decided exactly where to get your car repaired.
When your damaged vehicle is delivered to the repair shop, you will have to pay the repair person the deductible amount listed on your policy and the remaining balance of the bill will be paid by your auto insurance company. If the vehicle is in your possession and repairs have been made, but the deductible has not been paid, your vehicle could legally be impounded and that could be more expensive than the deductible.
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