What do I do after a car accident? Tips on Staying Safe
No one plans to be in an accident. That's what makes it an accident, the random unexpectedness. While you may never know when or if one can happen it's better to be prepared and safe then to be unprepared and sorry. Here are some smart tips on what to do before during and after a minor fender bender or moderate accident..
Steps to take before an accident:
- Keep a first aid kit and safety kit in the car - It's important to keep a safety kit in the car for emergencies. AAA sells an affordable and convenient kit for less than $50. Or you can always make your own. Here is the most common items. Your kit should include the items listed below.
- Have your insurance and emergency contact information in your glove box - After an accident you maybe in serious pain and unable to talk. Most emergency officers or police will go in the glove box to find information on the driver. Along with your insurance card have a contact in case of emergencies contact list with numbers of people you trust and would like contacted in case you were ever hurt.
- Have a spare tire and a jack-Having a full sized spare is great, but most people have a small donut tire in the back because a spare wheel is very heavy to drive around with. Either way having a spare tire, a jack to lift the car, and a cross wrench to remove you lug nuts is vital. Knowing how to actually the change the tire is important too.
Having these items at your disposable make the nightmare of getting in an accident a little less scary and a lot more manageable and giving you peace of mind.
Saftey Car Kit Should Include:
- Jumper Cables ( for jump starting a battery)
- Tire Pressure Guage ( for checking your tire inflation level)
- Flashlight (with fresh batteries) ( for seeing in the dark at night)
- Flares/Cones/ Hazard Traingle ( for alerting other drivers of a hazard)
- Emergency Poncho ( to protect yourself in harsh weather)
- Small Set of tools ( a couple of screwdrivers/wrench for minor repairs)
- Utility or pocket knofe (could come in handy for a number of reasons)
- First Aid Kit ( band aids, gauze, alcohol, instant ice, instant heat etc for cuts minor & scrapes )
Steps to take during an accident:
- Relax - Sure being in an accident, no matter how minor can be scary. Take a deep breath and be sure not to make any sudden movement you may be injured. Don't panic and try to assess and handle the situation as calmly as possible. Panic can cause even more damage if you allow it to set in. Check and make sure that you are physically OK.
- Find a Safe Place to Move the Car- Some people will tell you not to move the car until the cops come to inspect the damage. But if the accident is minor, you are not hurt, and the car is not in a safe place, it is always better to move the car to safety than to leave it in the middle of the road. In Georgia it required by law to move your car over onto the shoulder for minor accidents. In a more serious accident, or if the car can't be moved than proceed with caution, especially if you choose to exit the vehicle.
- Call 911- Sure you want to call your spouse, or your mom and let them know what just happened. But if you want a police report to verify the accident or seek damages for yourself or vehicle you will need the police to be on the scene as soon as possible. Don't assume the other party has already called them.
- Get Information from the Other Party -Assuming no one is seriously injured it is important to get the names and numbers of everyone involved in the accident. Getting the tag number, year make and model of the vehicle, notes of any damage and description of what happened will be important to your case when you submit an insurance claim. If there is no damage or if both parties agree not to file a claim, at this point you both may leave the scene. Leaving a scene after an accident is a serious crime and punishable by law. Never leave an accident scene unless their is a mutual agreement to do so. Now is also a good time to call your insurance company and take pictures with your camera phone if you have one and it is safe to do so.
Steps to take after an accident:
- Get a copy of the police report- Most report are ready within 24-72 hours. Get the officers card and find out when the accident report will be ready. Don't admit fault to the officer or to the other party. Many circumstances go into determine who is at fault. Allows the officer and insurance company to handle that. Just get as much info as you can upfront as possible. Also, if you took pictures with your camera phone, email them to yourself so you can print them out. Submit all of this to your insurance company.
- Damages- Often times a few days after an accident, you may start to feel pain. It is common for people to have a delayed reaction after the adrenaline and rush of the event subsides. You may feel neck back or even shoulder pain. It is important to let your insurance company know and seek treatment quickly. Also look at your car and be sure to note any damages that were caused by the accident. Avoid adding things that are not part of the accident, that is considered insurance fraud and punishable by law. Never do business with a body or repair shop that will offer to inflate damages with you. It could cost you, big time.
- Attorney- If the insurance company is playing games with you or giving you the run around, get professional help. Call an injury attorney right after an accident to be sure to get the help you need quickly and without delay. Do your research, all attorneys are not created equal. Never sign anything without reading it first, and never sign blank documents, no matter what the attorney says. When in doubt call someone else.
Hopefully these tips give you some good information on what to do after an accident. Read about my car accident here and how it prompted me to write this article. Please also feel free to share your comments and stories below.
For more information on how driving while distracted causes accidents
