“What should you do AFTER a car accident” is a question that people ask on a daily basis! Unfortunately, many people seek (or are offered) the advice of people that just don’t understand the insurance and claims perspective when offering up such advice!
In this article we are going to answer this question once and for all!
- Call The Police After An Car Accident
- Seek Medical Treatment If Necessary
- Take Photos
- Access The Damage To Your Vehicle
- Contact The Insurance Company
5 Things To Do If You Get In A Car Accident
Here are five things to do if you get in a car accident. These are things you may want to do to help make sure everyone involved is safe, to follow the law, and to get the auto insurance claim process started.
What Should You Do AFTER A Car Accident: Call The Police After An Accident
The police officer will be able to obtain all the information from all parties involved. The officer will create an official record of the accident that you can later obtain.
Whether an accident is considered a minor fender-bender or a major collision, calling the police is important. In some states, it may be legally required.
When you file a claim with your insurer, they may ask for a copy of the police report to help with the claims process.
What Should You Do AFTER A Car Wreck: Seek Medical Treatment
If anyone is injured, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Quite simply, if you are hurting, we recommend you consult a licensed medical professional to document any injuries you sustained because of the collision.
Most people with the shock of such an event such as a car accident will try and minimize the trauma by denying harm. You may want to just get home and process the event, but as uncomfortable as it may be to seek immediate medical assistance it may be necessary to go to the hospital first to get checked over first. Always seek medical assistance even if you do not feel that you need it. Symptoms of serious injury are not always immediately apparent.
For children, always have your child examined by a medical practitioner; young children cannot always verbalize their feelings.
What Should You Do AFTER A Car Accident: Take Photos
Document the accident thoroughly by taking pictures of your vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. It might also be a good idea to take pictures of the other car’s license plate.
Some advice for documenting the scene:
- Start with some photos from four to six feet from the vehicle and move in closer if you need to highlight something. For example, if your vehicle was hit in the driver’s front corner and your front bumper, hood and driver’s headlamp are damaged, take a photo showing the entire front bumper and the driver’s side of the vehicle, and then move in closer to show the damaged components. Repeat if you have multiple areas of damage.
- If you can, take comparable photos of the damage to the other vehicle and of the other party’s license or ID card and license plate, too.
- Always take photos of all four sides of the vehicle.
What Should You Do AFTER A Car Wreck: Access The Damage To Your Vehicle
If the crash left your car in the middle of a busy road, your instinct will probably be to move it, but proceed with caution. You can legally move your vehicle, and if you do, you should snap a few pictures of the scene first, but only do these things if it’s safe to do so considering the traffic and circumstances of your collision.
Some advice for drivers to tell if their car is safe to move after a wreck:
- Look for leaking fluids near the front of the vehicle and do not move the vehicle if you see a lot.
- The car is not safe to be near if you smell the gasoline
- Do not move the vehicle if you have a flat tire. If any part of the car’s body (like a plastic bumper) is touching the tires in any way, you could get a flat if you attempt to drive.
- Is any odd noise or smell, it could mean the car’s mechanical or electrical systems are compromised and your best bet is to call a tow truck.
If you do decide to drive, be cautious and pay attention to how everything is working: make sure the brakes feel normal, that it’s easy to steer and make sure no new smells or sounds appear as you drive.
If you are unsure whether you can or should move your vehicle, wait for the police to advise you.
What Should You Do AFTER A Car Accident: Contact The Insurance Company
This one is simple: always call your insurer (or visit your agent’s Online Insurance Claim’s Portal) as soon as possible after a wreck — at the scene, if you can. This allows you to provide your agent with the most accurate and up-to-date information before you forget anything important.
Information you may need to provide to your insurance company:
- Names of all drivers involved in the accident
- Address and phone number of the drivers involved
- Insurance policy numbers of all drivers involved
- Year, make, model and license plates of the cars involved in the accident
- Photos of the damage to the vehicles
- Brief description of what occurred at the accident scene
- Police report, if possible
- Contact information for any witnesses
Once you speak with your Insurance Advisor, he/she will be able to advise you on whether or not you need to file an insurance claim with YOUR insurance carrier, or the other party’s insurance carrier.
Insurance Agencies should have their own Mobile App! Any Agency owner that is concerned with the Client Experience views a Mobile App as a MUST!
Clients can file claims, make service requests, and much more!
Jack Wingate | ALLCHOICE Insurance
Still Have Questions About What To Do After A Car Accident?
If you still have questions about what you should do AFTER a car accident, reach out to an ALLCHOICE Insurance Advisor. We specialize in all lines of Personal & Business Insurance
FAQ: What Should You Do After A Car Accident?
After a car accident, you should follow these 5 Simple Steps
1. Call The Police
2. Seek Medical Treatment (if necessary)
3. Take Photos Of Your Vehicle & The Other Vehicle(s)
4. Access The Damage
5. Contact Your Insurance Adivsor