What To Do In The Case Of An Auto Accident
By REESE WRIGHT
jrwrightxiii(at)yahoo.com
As drivers we are taught the old adage of driving defensively. In a dream world it would be nice to do as such and to avoid all possible accidents involving your vehicle. Though we live in the real world. As my old high school driving instructor Coach Wright once stated, “The only safe driver is the one who didn’t drive.” The reality is that you are going to get into some form of auto accident in your life. Whether it is a minor fender bender or a major collision it doesn’t matter, all drivers do this. In this article we will take a look at what to do in case of this dreadful event.
If you are involved at the scene of an accident, you must stop. This applies not only to those that are in it but other passengers as well. Reason so is that if you are involved in the accident and attempt to leave, most state laws can convict a charge of hit and run or others far worse if the result includes fatal wounds or death. Another reason for those not involved is just to simply allow emergency personal to get by and to avoid hitting anything else in the road.
Once this is done, notify the police despite how minor the accident may be. Some would say that for minor scratches this is not needed, but I have seen many occasion were one person got a worse deal out of the accident because the police did not appear. One item to consider is that without the police present to file the report, some insurance companies will not settle a claim for you and also it protects your rights during this process.
If possible remove the autos out of the way and throw on the flashers or some method to let other drivers know what is going on. You would be surprised to know that some states do have laws that place you at fault if you do not do this. And finally keep your cool. First and foremost, arguing doesn’t help anything and also you maybe liable for verbal abuse or threat charges, plus you will need to keep your head in the game especially if the person in the accident is a first time driver. Many in this case tend to freak out with worry and do get taken advantage of.
Next you should get the proper information from the other driver, even if you are at fault as this can aid in protecting yourself from any potential lawsuit. Proper information includes names, addresses and telephone numbers of all drivers involved as well as the ownership, policy number and name of the insurance company. Also be sure to include the license plate number, year, make and model of the car. Other details to consider is the location of the accident, such as street names or nearby businesses, weather and road conditions, the date of the accident and speed, as well as notes of where the injuries to the car occurred. A good idea is to have a disposable camera handy to take pictures of the scene and injuries to the cars.
If you can, get the names and numbers to any witnesses of the accident as well and be sure to get the insurance info of the other drivers involved. All of this can be found on their registration card.
Also as a good tip, especially to the first time drivers, do not share any info about the type of coverage you have or any other personal info as this can come back to haunt you. Be sure to inform the police of all info they ask as well.
After this is done, immediately report the accident to your insurance company. The more you delay, the more of a chance you have of a claim being build against you. Plus some companies can deny any obligation to protect your interest in the accident. Ask your agent about the forms and documents that are needed and procedures to follow. If needed or advised, consult your doctor for any injuries, as whiplash is the common medical ailment, and if needed consult with a lawyer to determine your rights and liability regarding the accident. Also as an item for later in the claim, you may also need written statements from a mechanic shop in regards to the repair cost of the damage.
On a final note, there are times when you as the victim have the right to sue a driver for damages. Though do bare in mind that this can swing both ways. Such cases can involve seeking paying for damages to the vehicle or paying for medical expenses though each state law does have regulations in regards to the monetary amounts or other forms of compensation. You may find yourself in small claims court, but regardless get yourself a lawyer.
The facts of life are that unless you stick to being a pedestrian or rely on public transportation, you will get into an auto accident. Most of the steps to do are pretty common sense, but during such an emotionally intense situation, some of us tend to forget that fact. Above all keep your cool and get as much info as possible.