Unfortunately, accidents happen. When it does, you should be prepared to act in your best interest. Below are steps you should take.
Check for injuries:
Before you do anything else, make sure you’re okay and your passengers are too.
Follow the law about moving your car:
If local or state laws require you move your car and you can do it safely, you should move it immediately. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s good manners. If you can’t move your car, you should use your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Contact law enforcement:
You can help the 911 dispatcher by giving as much detail as possible. Be prepared to tell him or her your exact location, including the highway mile marker or closest intersection. Let the dispatcher know about potential injuries, the number of cars involved and whether cars can get by on the roadway.Exchange information with the drivers involved
Drivers involved should provide each other with their:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance company name
- Insurance policy number
- Name of the insured person and relationship to the driver
- Driver’s license state and number
- License plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle
- Car year, make, model and color
Resist the urge to blame the other driver or take immediate responsibility for the accident. Law enforcement officers will determine the degree to which each driver may have contributed to the collision.
Record what happens:
While you’re on site, write down the location of the accident and how it happened. Take pictures of the damage done to all of the vehicles involved. Ask any witnesses for their contact information in case the drivers disagree about the events.
Submit an accident report:
Even if law enforcement officers don’t respond to the accident, which sometimes happens if there are no injuries, download an accident report form from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website, fill it out and submit it.
Notify your insurance provider:
Contact your agent at the Kim Homra Insurance Agency or call your insurance provider’s claim department directly. Rather than relying upon the goodwill of the other drivers to ensure that damages are paid for, submit an insurance claim. Doing so can help you protect your finances in the long term and get your car fixed quickly in the short term.
Contact the Kim Homra Insurance Agency today to make sure you are adequately covered in case of an auto accident.
KIM HOMRA INSURANCE AGENCY – WORKING HARDER FOR YOU.