If You Are In An Accident

By Author: Norris Rios
Total Articles: 572
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No one wants to be in an accident. We usually deceive ourselves into believing we'll never make a mistake, we'll always avoid the crash by our clever driving. All this works well until someone talking on their cellphone drives through a red light into our passenger door. There are unwelcome surprises round every corner. So let's start with the law. If anyone is injured or killed in a traffic accident, there's a duty to report it. In some states, you report to the police. In others the report goes to the Division of Motor Vehicles or its equivalent. The duty also applies even though no one is injured if property of sufficient value is damaged. Since most modern vehicles are worth more than the minimums, this means almost all accidents must be reported. Failure to report is a crime. There's also a legal duty to exchange sufficient details of your identity and insurance with the other driver.

So, when the accident happens, call the police. Incidentally, to protect yourself, you should also file a police report if your vehicle is stolen or vandalized. Many insurance policies make a report a condition of being able to claim. ...
... If possible, you should clear the road so that other drivers can pass. If anyone needs needs medical attention, call an ambulance. Now take detailed notes of who everyone is, what vehicles were involved, what the road conditions were like and what damage has been sustained. If your cellphone takes pictures, now is the time to use it. Record everything relevant to describing the accident and its consequences. When the police and ambulance crew come, take their names as well. If your vehicle cannot be driven away, arrange a tow.

Later, call the insurer or local agent. For all larger claims the sooner you give notice the better. Make sure you know exactly what details will be required to support the claim. If you are injured, you will need a medical report listing the treatment you have received and its cost. Get competitive estimates before authorizing repairs. The claims assessor appointed by the insurer may want to inspect the damage before agreeing to pay for the repair work. It's important you cooperate with any investigation. If you receive any indication of a claim against you, send it on to the insurer immediately. Do not attempt to deal with the claim yourself. It's for your insurer to defend you - assuming, of course, your policy covers the particular events. As you spend money, get and keep receipts. If there's to be a court case, the better the record of your expenses, the more easily the claim can progress.

If you talk to anyone about the claim, be it the police, attorneys, claims assessors, and so on, keep notes of the day and time and what was said. If offers, promises or decisions are made, record them. If your vehicle is totaled, do some research into the actual value, e.g. look in the Blue Book and adjust the guideline figures to reflect the condition of your vehicle. Car insurance claims are a good test of the quality of the policy you bought. To give yourself the best chance of a successful outcome, keep good records. Then hope the next car insurance quotes have not risen too sharply.