| Although
car accidents are more prevalent in the winter months, what you
need to do after an accident never changes. Obviously it is hard
to think clearly after a car accident so it is important to know
before you get into an accident what to do first
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.
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.
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.
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
think 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.
Call you Insurance Agent
Call your agent immediately, even at the scene with the police
if possible. Do not call your companie's 800# as this can lead
to a claim even if your insurance company does not pay out. It
is usally better to talk to your agent. This is when having a
quality agent can pay off. Sometimes the police officer can give
your insurance company more accurate information rather than information
you may not be recording properly because of your being upset
by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting
for your claim to be processed.
Original
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