Traffic collisions are probably the most common type of accident you might face. But are you sure you know how to react? In order to avoid further complications and eventually reduce your costs, here are a few steps you might want to follow.
The first and more important step is to insure safety first. Make sure that you always carry a safety kit with a flashlight, cones or flares, a disposable camera to take photos if needed, etc.
Also, make sure to move your vehicle on the side of the road if possible and, if not possible, just remain in the car with seatbelts on until help arrives.
The second step will be to exchange all important information with the other drivers involved: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver’s license number and a precise description of the cars involved. Also, if you spot any witnesses in the accident area, make sure to get their information as well.
Following that, it is really important that you document and photograph the accident, keeping in mind that the circumstances of the accident will become less and less fresh in your mind after time.
You should call 911 after the accident but the police generally will not show up unless someone is injured. Nevertheless, you should always file a “state vehicles accident report”, even if you are only involved in a minor car accident. The document is available at any police station and also often on the DMV website.
Even if all these precautions might seem useless or exaggerated compared to the gravity of the accident, it will always help you speed up the claim process with the insurance company and will protect you if things get complicated.
Indeed, make sure to be as polite as possible to others involved in the accident but do not ever say that the accident might be your fault, even if you believe it could be. Also, if you are tempted to handle the damages yourselves, without involving insurance companies, keep in mind that it is a little bit risky. Indeed, you have no way to control if the other driver will change his mind about paying the damages, after he sees the bill; or about him reporting the damages to his or your insurance company.
That is why we advise you to consult an attorney. It might in some cases of minor accidents be better not to contact your insurance company or at least tell them you are not sure yet whether you will make a claim.