Key Steps when You Have a Car Accident
It doesn't really matter how careful a driver you are; there may come a time when you will be involved in a car accident. It might be a simple shunt or bump or it could be bad enough to write off your vehicle. Whether it is your fault or not, it is vitally important that you follow the procedures recommended by your car insurance company to ensure you have the best possible chance of getting the damage paid for.
In most cases it is just a case of following a few basic rules, but you should always refer to the information your insurer will have provided you with to ensure you are meeting their expectations.
Always stay calm in the aftermath of a car accident. Making accusations or causing a disagreement between yourself and the other motorist will not help matters. Having said that, you should never admit that you were at fault in the accident, even if you think you were. That is a matter for your car insurance company to deal with based on the facts.
Always report the accident as soon as you can. Most insurance companies will expect to be informed within 48 hours, but sometimes this can be less. Your insurer may refuse your claim if you fail to report it on time. Unless you are injured, you should report the accident to them on the same day.
Get as many details from the other driver as possible. This will include their name, a description, their vehicle registration number, their home address and telephone number and the details of their insurance company. If the other driver is unwilling to give you this information or they have left the scene, you should always try to get the registration details. In most cases, this should be enough to track them down.
Always talk to any witnesses and attempt to get their details. This is particularly relevant if the accident was serious or there were injuries. It is possible your insurance company may want to talk to other people who saw what happened.
Detail the events as soon as you can after the accident. Take photos of the road, draw sketches and write down everything you can remember while it is still fresh in your mind. This should be done while you are still at the scene. Consider the speed you were driving, other things which were happening on the road at the time, the time of day, the weather, the road conditions, how busy it was and any other relevant factors.
Take as many photos as you can at the scene. In these days of litigation, it is wise to get photos of the condition of the other car and the driver if possible. If you can show they were uninjured after the accident, it may avoid a fraudulent claim. You also need documentary evidence of the damage to both cars. It is also a good idea to be able to identify the actual driver of the other car in case they claim another person was driving later.
Even if there was little damage, it is important to report the incident to the police. They will not attend the scene unless there has been an injury, but having the incident on record may be important at a later date if things turn sour. If the police do attend you should give them all details they ask for and be as cooperative as possible. The traffic police will need to be involved if there is any obstruction to the road. If the other driver refuses to give you their insurance details and you suspect they may not have insurance, you should always contact the police.
In most cases the police will call any tow truck which may be needed, but you may wish to contact your insurance company if this doesn't happen. They will be able to arrange pick-up for your car.
In the days after your accident, you may find that you are suffering from injuries you didn't notice at the time. It is important that you visit your doctor to have these assessed. Whiplash is common in car crashes and is often not noticeable at the time of the accident. If you need to make a claim for compensation later; having the expertise of a doctor will help your case. You should also tell your car insurance company of any injuries sustained at the time or later.
Having a car accident is a distressing event at any time, but being prepared will make it seem less traumatic. Always read your policy details to make sure you are doing as your car insurance company expects and the whole process should be as smooth as it can possibly be.
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