Car accidents are not something that most of us want to think about. However, being prepared so that you know what to do if you’re involved in an accident can be extremely helpful. This holds especially true for those who are retired and on a fixed income. Below are a few ways you can prepare yourself in the event of a car accident.
Ensure Everyone Is Safe
Before you start to take pictures or talk with witnesses, you want to check the condition of the other driver and their passengers. Ensure that everyone is okay. If anyone needs medical attention, call to get them help. You should also assess your body at the time of the crash. If you’re feeling pain anywhere, be sure to let the other driver know. While it’s tempting to say that you’re fine, you should avoid doing so if you feel pain because your statement can be used against you in the future.
Contact the Police
Regardless of whether or not the other driver wants to contact the police, you should call them yourself. You need to obtain an official copy of the accident report that the police are going to issue. This will have the necessary information on it like the type of car, its license plate, the driver’s name, and its address. Never fall for not calling the police, as you’ll surrender your right to an official police report.
Get the Other Driver’s Information
For all car accident claims, you’ll need to know the other driver’s information. You want to get their driver’s license number, name, phone number, address, vehicle information, and license plate number. The more information you get, the smoother your insurance claim is likely to be.
Take Photos and Get Statements
Having a smartphone can be extremely helpful when an accident occurs. Not only can you call the police to ensure they come, but you can take many pictures of the scene. You should take pictures of your car, the other car involved, and the entire accident scene. Now is the time to talk with witnesses and get their information. The more witnesses you can find, the more information your insurance company and lawyer have to fight your case in the future.
Being involved in a car accident is not something that you want. However, it can happen from time to time. By following the steps that we went over above, you can set yourself up for having a smooth claims process to get your car repaired or replaced.
This article is from Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
