What To Do After A Car Accident

Car accidents are becoming more and more common in America simply because automobile use has increased over the last 5-10 years. Society now sees having a car or some means of transportation as a need and because of this need statistics show that car accidents have increased substantially.

Car Accident Statistics

Even if you are typically a very safe driver the car accident statistics can be quite sobering at times. According to http://www.car-accidents.com/pages/stats.htmlthere were about 6,420,000 auto accidents in the United States in 2005 (that cost over 230 billion dollars) compared to 6,356,000 car accidents in 2000. These numbers are only getting worse and it is estimated that at least one out of four drivers will end up involved in one or more accidents through their lives. With all of these alarming statistics the best thing to do is to be a safe defensive driver and be prepared in case the unexpected happens to you.

7 Steps To Take After A Car Accident

After checking for any bruises or scratches and giving thanks to God that you are still alive there are key steps you must take in order to help yourself through this whole accident ordeal.

1. You must first make sure that your glove compartment holds all the documents the police officer is going to need in order to make the process as smooth and quickly as possible. You will need your vehicle registration, your driver’s license and your insurance card handy. It will also be better for you to carry a pen or pencil and a little notepad in your car, this way you can make sketches of the crash. It would be even better if you manage to carry a disposable camera at all times in the glove compartment for those key pictures after the wreck as sometimes the other person will move the car before police officers arrive on the scene of the accident.
2. The next thing you should do is stay in the car and dial 911. Then wait until the police get there without speaking to the other person or moving the vehicle so that the scene of the crash is visible and easier to understand. This however, does not apply to the people that can smell gas from the inside of the vehicle or that sense that their vehicle may be a fire hazard. If this is the case of your accident then make sure that you evacuate the vehicle as soon as you can and call 911 immediately.

3. Before the police arrive make sure that you write down pertinent details of the other party (car make and model, license plate number, etc.) just to protect yourself in case the other party is inclined to leave the scene of the accident before talking to the police.
4. Once the police arrive then make sure that you cooperate with everything the police officer says and be prepared to give your account of what happened. It is then that the police officer will organize an accident report that will be given to each driver. However, some “minor” accidents will not be given an accident report.

5. At this time you should approach the driver of the other vehicle if you haven’t done so before and exchange names, telephone numbers, addresses, and insurance information. This will be necessary for when you call your insurance company and make the auto insurance claim.

6. Read your auto insurance policy before calling the insurance company, so that you know what type of coverage you have. It would be a good idea to type or write a list of questions that you can ask once you call and make the claim. It would also be a good idea to do some research online and see what your state’s laws on car insurance are. I say this because some states will make the person at fault pay for everything (from both cars to medical expenses), while some others (No-Fault states )will make each person pay for the damages to their vehicle, but will make the person responsible pay for any medical bills in case of injuries.

7. At this time you should proceed to calling your insurance company as soon as possible. Although some accidents may be minor it is still almost always best to report the accident to the insurance company.

Every Car Accident Is Different

These seven steps are the main course of action a person must take in case of a car accident, but its important to know that every car crash is different. If you suspect that the person in the other car sustained any injuries it would be smart to call a lawyer to see what you should do. As mentioned earlier it is important to keep in mind that not every car wreck is the same and that some of the key points will be omitted depending on the gravity of the car crash. However, the most important thing to do during a car accident is to remain calm and follow the guidelines that will help you get through this trying and potentially frightening experience.

Find Cheap Car Insurance Now!

Just as it is important to do your research on how to be prepared in the event of a car accident it is also important to do your research when searching for auto insurance.

You may be able to save yourself hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year if you compare auto insurance rates on a systematic basis (typically it is best to compare rates every 6 months).

Use our free quote finder at the top of the page to get started finding cheap car insurance now!