The sad truth is that millions of people get involved in auto accidents each year. We like to think that we won’t ever get involved in such events, but sometimes they are out of our control.
If you’ve not had a car accident so far, you’re doing well! But, do you know what to do if you did find yourself in the midst of a fender-bender? OK, so you might have a rough idea. Still, it’s important you know exactly what to do.
Today’s article will tell you what you need to know in case you do ever find yourself in such an unfortunate situation.
Don’t just drive off!
It’s important that you stop at the scene of any auto accident you’re involved with, regardless of how minor the damage might be. That’s because the other parties might make a claim for vehicle repairs. Even if they’ve only suffered a slight scratch to their paintwork.
If you just drive away from the scene, the other people involved might call the police and have you arrested for criminal damage.
Protect the scene of the accident
One crucial point that the guys at dmlawyer.com make is that you need to help protect the scene of your car crash. But don’t worry; such a task isn’t as difficult as you might think. All you need to do is ensure that other road users don’t crash into you or the other people involved.
If possible, put your hazard warning lights on and ask other drivers involved in the accident to do the same.
Get help
It doesn’t matter if there’s only minor damage or all vehicles involved are a write-off. What you should next do is dial 911 and have the police visit the scene of the accident. But why should you do this if the accident is minor?
The answer is simple. Some insurance firms will want to see a copy of the police report before deciding whether to entertain your claim for car damage. If possible, ensure all vehicles don’t move from the scene. Unless they are obstructing traffic and can get driven to the side of the road, of course.
What happens if the scene of the accident is quite serious? When you dial 911, you should tell the dispatcher that you need help from paramedics too.
Take plenty of photos
Insurers love it when you can supply them with photographic evidence of the scene. There was once a time where you’d have to carry around a camera in your car. These days, most people use smartphones that have built-in digital cameras.
Make sure that you use your cell phone (or camera) to take plenty of photos showing the damage to both cars. And ensure that you take pictures from various angles to show where the direction where each vehicle came from.
By following the advice in this blog post, any accident claims you make will be straightforward and easy to conclude. Hopefully, you’ll never need to follow them, but it’s good knowing these tips just in case.
