Don’t Drive Away
Again, the accident wasn’t bad. Only minor damage to both cars. No one was hurt. So, it should be OK to shake hands with the other driver and just leave, right?
Nope. Whether the wreck is serious or not, you a should check on the driver, exchange insurance information, and report the accident to law enforcement. If you do not, you could be violating the law as all accidents do need to be reported. We call this: stick, exchange, and report. Stick around and check on the other person involved, exchange insurance information, and report it.
You Must Report It
Many think that if no one is hurt, there is no need to call 911. However, that is a very bad idea.
The fact is one in seven drivers are not insured. Many uninsured drivers carry a fake or expired insurance card. So, if you have an agreement with the other driver to “let insurance handles things”, but do not report it to the police, you may find yourself up a creek without a paddle. Plus, the report is verification of the accident for insurance.
Keep You Cool
To say that car accidents are not emotionally charged would be an understatement. But, you need to try and keep calm and take in the situation. And, while you may want to lash out at the guy who ran the red light or rear ended you, you need to start with, “Are you alright?” Don’t start yelling and blaming them, as it is not going to fix the situation. Instead, take some deep breaths so you can begin documenting the accident.
Don’t Admit Fault
At the accident scene, never tell people it was your fault. Legally speaking, you are admitting guilt and liability which could expose you to a lawsuit. But, if it is your fault, just be polite, make sure everyone is alright, and try not to say too much that could expose you.
Document the Scene
So far, so good. You have decided to stay at the scene, exchanged information, and not yelled at the other drivers. Now is the time to start documenting the scene. If you have a smartphone with a camera, get pictures of the cars, license plate, street names and more. If you don’t have a camera, try and write down as much information as possible. Also, take some time to recall events leading up to the accident, like what street were you on, what direction were you heading, the color of the other car, etc. You will likely need to give this account several times to the insurance company and police.
Register Your Claim Quickly
Make sure that you get your insurance claim filed quickly. Sometimes insurance companies have time limits. And, the sooner you can get the claim process started, the faster you will be back on the road.
How to Use This Information
Few people even mean to get into an accident. But, if you do, make sure that you stay at the scene, exchange information, report the accident, don’t admit fault, document, and get your claim filed. Other than that, let us take care of you with our collision repair team. Call 303-344-2212 or contact us online.
