One of the most stressful situations in life you can go through is a car accident. It can be scary and overwhelming, leaving you uncertain about the next steps to take in the aftermath. While we hope you never need this advice, we’ve put together some tips to guide you through the process.
1. Safety First – For You and Passengers
If you have a car accident, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights so you’re more visible to other drivers on the road. Next, check yourself and passengers for any injuries. Contact emergency services to report the accident and get help. Do not move anyone who is hurt as you can accidentally cause more harm depending on the type of injury. Leave it to the professionals to manage the situation on arrival.
2. Move Your Vehicle If Possible
If there is minimal damage to your vehicle, and you can safely drive it, move to the side of the road or another area out of the way of traffic. Do not move your vehicle if any passengers have serious injuries, or if there are other dangerous factors at play like leaking gasoline. Do not leave the general scene of the accident unless it is necessary for your safety.
3. Contact the Police
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to contact the police. They will complete an accident report which is needed for your insurance claim. An officer will collect statements from you and others involved in the accident and make assessments of the scene.
4. Exchange Information With Other Drivers
Be sure to collect information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident including:
- Contact details: Name, phone number, address
- Insurance company’s name
- Car details: License plate number, VIN number, and other identifying information like make, model, and color
Helpful Hint: Don’t discuss the accident or admit fault. Let the police and insurance companies examine the facts and make determinations.
5. Collecting Additional Information
In addition to exchanging information with the other driver(s), be sure to collect information and evidence that will help with your insurance claim such as:
- Photos of the accident area and damage to the vehicles
- Witness statements and the witnesses’ contact details
- Basic facts like the date, time, and location of the accident
6. File an Insurance Claim
It’s important to file your claim in a timely manner. Some insurance companies have specific time limits in which you must make a report. Check your auto insurance card or go to your provider’s website for the contact number to file a claim. Complete any paperwork required to make the claim. At this stage, all of the groundwork you did collecting information at the scene of the accident will help!
Auto Insurance Claims with Ianniello Agency
We hope you never need to file an insurance claim, but if you do, we are here to help you through the process. As one of our clients, you can rest assured we will be by your side during this stressful time. We are here to help you get back on the road safely and quickly. If you have any questions about auto insurance, or want to discuss your policy, contact us today at our Coshocton or Canton, Ohio offices!
Want to learn more about how car insurance works? Check out our blog post, “5 Common Car Insurance Questions & Their Answers”.
