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What to do after a car crash?
- Determine whether anyone is hurt. Never leave the scene of an accident, even a minor one. Your first priority is safety; everything else can wait, says Rob Luna, group manager of auto claims at AAA in Costa Mesa, California.
- Get yourself and your vehicle out of danger. If you’re not injured and the accident was minor, carefully drive your car to the side of the road, so it doesn’t impede traffic.
- Contact the police. Although it’s important to report the accident, police in some areas may not respond to a minor collision if there are no injuries, Luna says.
- Collect important information. Use your cellphone camera to take pictures of documents or, with pen and paper, get the name, address, phone number and driver’s license number of everyone involved in the accident.
Learn what you can do at the scene of a car accident to stay safe and protect your passengers & property. Also, what you may need to file a claim & more.
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- What to Do Immediately After A Collision
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The first thing you should do, if possible, is pull your car over to a safe, well-lit place nearby, preferably a public one where others can see both you and the other driver. That’s especially true “if you are bumped from behind and think you might be the intended victim of a staged accident,” says Scott Holeman, spokesperson for the Insurance Inf...
It’s easy after a car accident to get distracted and make mistakes you otherwise would not with loved ones and pets that might lead to additional injury. If this is a fender bender or minor collision, don’t leave young children, pets, disabled adults or non-ambulatory elders in a hot, locked car after the accident. Just as you wouldn’t leave them i...
After you and your vehicle are in a safe place, check to see if you or anyone in your vehicle at the time of the accident has injuries. Call fire and rescue or an ambulance if someone shows even minor harm from the accident. You’ll want to get medical help for yourself or others right away, especially if the injured are children, elders or incapaci...
Determine you’re safe talking to the other driver, and if you can do so calmly, without police help. “If there is any sign road rage may have played a role in the accident, use extra caution when you talk with the other driver,” warns Holeman. Once you’ve determined it’s safe, “Secure and conceal any valuables before exiting the vehicle,” advises P...
Don’t make any side deals with other drivers to accept or pay cash for the accident instead of filing an insurance claim, even if the other driver offers a significant sum or claims they have no auto insurance. Holeman warns that “making a ‘handshake deal’ with cash on the scene could expose you to major expenses down the line.”
By this point, you’ve had to take so many steps to secure yourself, loved ones and the vehicle, you might forget to collect some important information. That’s why consistently keeping your documents in order is essential. “You should always keep important information in your car, like registration, proof of insuranceand the name and phone number of...
It’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident. “This will help expedite the claim process and they may be able to assist you with other services that may be included in your policy,” says Passmore. While information about the claims processis often on an insurer’s website or mobile app, ask clarifying questi...
After you make a claim, providing all the information the insurer requires, insurance adjusters determine the fault and what you’ll receive for repairs or to replace your car if it’s totaled. Passmore summarizes how fault determination works: “The insurance adjusters for each company will gather the facts regarding the accident and, based on the de...
Learn how to handle a car accident safely and effectively, from calling 911 to talking to the other driver. Find out how to protect your rights and your car insurance claim in this stressful situation.
Apr 19, 2024 · What to Do After a Car Accident. By Renee Valdes 04/19/2024 8:00am. If you get into a car accident, survey and protect the area to prevent another car accident from happening. Care for the...
Learn how to handle the scene, collect information, report a claim, and schedule inspection and repair with GEICO. Find out how to be prepared for accidents with a vehicle safety kit and the GEICO Mobile app.
Sep 9, 2016 · Learn how to handle a car accident safely and legally with AAA's tips and advice. Find out what information to collect, who to call, and how to report the crash to your insurance company.
Aug 15, 2023 · Stay at the scene. Take a deep breath and try not to panic. Do not leave the accident scene without completing the tasks on this list. A "hit-and-run" can be a criminal offense. Check yourself, other drivers, and passengers for injuries. Call the ambulance if anyone is in need of medical attention.
