Things To Do If Involved In A Car Accident – Tried & Tested Tips

Unfortunately, in today’s modern society with many vehicles on the road, the likelihood of getting involved in a car accident are quite high. But if you do get involved in a car accident, its best to follow (or keep in mind) these tried and tested tips to help you cut your losses:

STOP

Even if you just feel a bump on your car or think you might have hit another vehcile or something, you should always stop. Failing to stop could get you in a whole lot of trouble, including “hit and run” charges.

CALL THE POLICE AND REPORT THE ACCIDENT

If there has been an injury or the possibility of injury you should always call the police, along with the paramedics/ambulance services.

If the other driver insists that you do not involve the police, you should definitely call the police. From experience I can tell you that these people often don't have insurance and try to find ways not to pay.

If another driver causes, hits your vehicle or causes any other form of damages and does not stop, do your best to get the vehicle registration number. If there are witnesses get their names, addresses and phone numbers. Then call the police, who will then conduct further investigations. If possible, keep the witnesses at the scene till the police arrive.

EXCHANGE INFORMATION

Drivers must at all times exchange licence numbers, names, addresses phone numbers and insurance information.  Don’t forget to record information about the other vehicle, vehicle type, colour and registration number.

NEVER ADMIT FAULT

You should cooperate with police officers investigating the case. Answer the police officers questions with clear facts. Don't guess or estimate. Never admit any fault for the accident.

Do not sign any pieces of paper. In some states or countries you may be asked to sign traffic infringement tickets, which in itself is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing.

You must take an alcohol test if requested, or risk losing your license.

GATHER INFORMATION

Draw a diagram of the accident, showing the positions of the cars before, during, and after impact. Include estimated driving speeds, weather conditions and time of accident.

With most current mobile phones having cameras, take photos of the accident scene and of any damage or injury to persons or vehicles.

Pictures of serious damage to your car or other cars can help you if you later pursue a claim for injuries.

On the other hand, minor damage to your car or another car can help you if

VISIT YOUR DOCTOR

Immediately after the accident (once all details have been exchanged), it is important that you get checked out by a doctor. Even if there are no initial signs of pain, there might have been damage done to the neck or spine which you may notice a day or two later.

Sometimes people get injured in car accidents but because those injuries don't show up immediately, they don't seek medical treatment promptly.

If a short time after your auto accident, you or one of your passengers develop pain in the neck or back or you feel you're suffering from a mental or emotional disability caused by injuries to the head, seek medical advice.

REPORT THE ACCIDENT TO THE INSURANCE

Contact your insurance company to inform them of the accident. If the other driver was at fault, report the accident to his insurance company. Often you can liaise with your insurance and they can then speak to the other insurance (without you being out of pocket an excess, if they were at fault).

The other driver’s insurance should provide you with a rental car if requested, and pay to have your car professionally repaired.

If your car is written off, the insurance should pay you the value of your vehicle based on the market value.

HOW TO DEAL SUCCESSFULLY WITH CLAIMS ADJUSTERS/ASSESSORS

You will likely be contacted by a claims adjustor/assessor from your own or another parties' insurance company. At all times, be very careful with what you say.

If you feel you have no injuries at the time and tell that to the adjustor, and later on it develops that you had injuries that you were unaware of, the adjustor is sure to bring it up, in an effort to keep the settlement as low as possible.

If the adjuster is not promptly providing you what, by law, you are entitled to, ask to speak with her supervisor.

If that doesn't go well, then…

CALL A LAWYER

You may want to talk to a lawyer to clarify your rights and discuss questions of liability for the accident, in the event of the other party not cooperating.

They can also help you with a rental car, getting all the damage repaired on your car, or getting fair value for your car if it is written off.

WHAT IF YOU ARE SUED?

If you being sued and served with a summons and you have insurance, just take the complaint and summons to your insurer. Motor vehicle insurance covers you based on coverage on the date of the accident. If you changed insurance since the accident, your insurance at the time of the accident still has a duty to defend you.

If you were not covered by insurance, you should consult a lawyer who specializes in insurance defence. It will be worth paying the high hourly costs to have them protect your personal and financial interests.

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I hope this helps, but as always drive carefully and within the legal speed limits and avoid drinking alcohol (more than legally allowed when driving) and taking drugs if you do intend to drive.  Good Luck & Safe Driving!!