What to do when you get into a car accident

COMPOSE YOURSELF

In the event of an accident, try to stay calm and take your time to gather your thoughts to ensure that you're in the proper state of mind in dealing with the dilemma at hand. Once you're properly composed, assess yourself if you sustained injuries and assess your passengers (if you have one) if they sustained injuries. Before exiting the vehicle, put the shifter in park (if automatic) or in neutral (if manual) with the hand brakes up to ensure that the car doesn’t move any further from its current position. Carefully make your way out of the car ensuring that there isn’t any oncoming traffic.

MAKE SURE THAT THE CAR ISN’T MOVING/PLACE AN EARLY WARNING DEVICE.

Before exiting the vehicle, put the shifter in park (if automatic) or in neutral (if manual) with the hand brakes up to ensure that the car doesn’t move any further from its current position. If possible, turn your hazard lights on. Carefully make your way out of the car ensuring that there isn’t any oncoming traffic. Position your Early Warning Device (EWD) at least 30-50 meters away from the site of accident, so that you give approaching vehicles the time and space to react to the accident.

TAKE PHOTOS OF THE INCIDENT

Taking photos and videos is a must as it may prove beneficial in aiding your case for the police report. It will also serve as evidence if the other party in the accident denies any fault. It is recommended that you take photos of the license plate from both vehicles and the area where the accident occurred.

FLAG THE NEAREST POLICE OFFICER

Get a hold of a police officer or a traffic enforcer to assist you during an accident. You would want to get their names so that you can refer back to them when reviewing the details of the accident. You will be asked to file an accident report at the nearest local police station which will be helpful in speeding up the insurance claims process.

TALK AND EXCHANGE IMPORTANT INFORMATION

It is important that both parties maintain composure in conversing with one another as it is helpful in reaching an understanding quicker and peacefully. Make sure to get the following information from the driver

Name

Address

Phone Number

Insurance Company

Policy Number

Driver’s License Number

License Plate of number

Year, Make, Model and color of car

CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER

Contact your insurance company/agent and let them know of the situation at hand. Give them a detailed run through of the accident and send them the photos/videos. Doing this will ensure that the insurance claiming process will be faster. Remember filing a report to your local police station as having this piece of document will further speed up the insurance claiming process.

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