Thread: After a car accident

The following checklist should be completed after any automotive accident whether large or small.

1) Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries

Try to stay calm. Panic can make others panic and the situation worse. There needs to be a calm person to determine the extent of damage and to determine if there are any injuries that need immediate medical attention.

2) File a Car Accident Report with the Police

Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Do not leave the scene until the police file a full report.

3) Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police

With everyone all shook up it can be hard not to talk about what just happened, but that can also lead to you not thinking clearly and accurately about what happened. It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should talk about the accident with the police and your insurance agent only.

4) Get the Facts

This is the part most people know to do, but often forget to after the accident for one reason or another. It is important to get names, address, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. A description of the car and license plate number can also be helpful, but make sure you also get their insurance company and the vehicle identification number of their car. Don't just assume the license plate number will do because most insurance companies only record the type of car and the vehicle identification number, not the license plate number.

5) Call you Insurance Agent and Lawyer if Necessary

Call your agent or insurance company's 800-number immediately, even at the scene with the police if possible. Sometimes the police officer can give your insurance company more accurate information rather than information you may not be recording properly because you are upset by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting for your claim to be processed.

Hi this is Rony dsouza from USA.
Thanks a lot for sharing such a nice post having valuable information.

I would add that if you have physical injuries, you need to get evaluated by a medical professional. Depending on the nature and extent of the injuries that may mean going to the E.R. immediately or to your doctor later the same day or the next day. I've had quite a few clients that think they are doing themselves good by being tough and living through the pain. With many injuries that can cause additional long term problems. Even soft tissue injuries heal much better if treated early.

Great advice, it's especially important to get checked out by a doctor if you have any pain.

Good advice. However, I would argue that in many cases there is little or no point in contacting the police. This is especially the case in minor accidents where it is clear who is at fault and the third party has accepted liability. In the UK at least, the police will only usually attend the scene of the accident if there are serious injuries, if the accident is blocking traffic, etc.

Of course, if the other party is disputing liability, is aggressive, or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is then essential to call the police asap. In these cases it is also a good idea to take down the names and contact details of any witnesses who can back you up if there are any disputes when it comes to making a claim.

Originally Posted by utopia

Good advice. However, I would argue that in many cases there is little or no point in contacting the police. This is especially the case in minor accidents where it is clear who is at fault and the third party has accepted liability. In the UK at least, the police will only usually attend the scene of the accident if there are serious injuries, if the accident is blocking traffic, etc.

Yep... I do agree with you. For very minor accidents, drivers may decide to handle the situation themselves, without including police or insurance companies. If both can agree who was at fault, and make their own arrangements for repairs and payment, handling it this way can be easier and cheaper.

Your 3rd point is

3) Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police

It should be discuss with Lawyer or Police only.

What to Do After a Car Accident

1. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Glove Compartment. Drivers should carry a cell phone, as well as pen and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries. Also, keep a list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies handy. Drivers can keep this free fill-in-the-blanks accident information form in their glove compartment. The DocuDent

6. Know What Your Insurance Covers. The whole insurance process will be easier following your accident if you know the details of your coverage. For example, don't wait until after an accident to find out that your policy doesn't automatically cover costs for towing or a replacement rental car. Generally, for only a dollar or two extra each month, you can add coverage for rental car reimbursement, which provides a rental car for little or no money while your car is in the repair shop or if it is stolen. Check your policy for specifics.Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.

3. Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.

4. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.

5. File An Accident Report. Although law enforcement officers in many locations may not respond to new york asian escorts accidents unless there are injuries, drivers should file a state vehicle accident report, which is available at police stations and often on the Department of Motor new york escort Vehicles Web new york escorts site as a downloadable file. A police report often helps insurance companies new york asian escort speed up the claims process.

Driving a car carries with it many responsibilities, such as obeying traffic laws and obtaining insurance. If you are in a serious accident, you will benefit from having an attorney represent you both for your own damages and against any claims others might make against you. But what sort of things is your attorney going to be interested in knowing, and what documents might he or she be interested in reviewing? This is a checklist of items to think about before meeting your attorney after you've had a car accident.