he goal of any driver is to avoid crashes and injuries. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. If you find yourself involved in an accident, following these steps can make the event less traumatic.
The goal of any driver is to avoid crashes and injuries. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. If you find yourself involved in an accident, following these steps can make the event less traumatic.
A. Always stop and assess the situation.
If possible, stop your car in a safe place. Determine if you or anyone else is injured, but do not attempt to move an injured person.
B. Be sure somebody will call police
Call police immediately and report any injuries. If another vehicle is involved, write down the license plate number and a vehicle description. Get the names and badge numbers of the police and emergency personnel at the scene.
C. Cooperate with the police.
Comply with requests from police officers, but do not admit any guilt for the crash in any way. Show proof of insurance if asked, but do not reveal how much coverage you have. If you suspect alcohol or drugs were involved, ask that a breath test be performed on you and the other driver.
D. Don’t dismiss the incident.
Do not agree to forget about a minor crash. You may see later that there were hidden damages or injuries. The other driver may even file a lawsuit against you. Also, do not accept any money the other driver may offer. You may give up your right, and the insurance company’s right, to file a claim against the other driver.
E. Even minor details may be important.
Write an account of what happened: time of day, weather, hazards, road conditions and driving speed. Draw a picture of the site, showing stop signs, signal lights, etc. If you can, take photos and make copies. Report the crash as soon as possible, and have an adjuster from your insurance company take a recorded statement of your description of the crash.
Depending on who was responsible for the accident, the adjuster will either attempt to collect damages from the responsible party’s insurer or to agree to pay the claims of the other party.