Every year, thousands of accidents take place across the country. If a car accident occurred on the street or highway, there are several procedures that will have to be followed. Taking these steps will help assist injured victims, prevent further injuries, minimize costs and help with the clean up process.
After an accident, the first most important step is to assess the extent or seriousness of an accident and of any injuries. Any injured victims of the accident should be provided with immediate medical assistance. If need be, an ambulance can be summoned to transfer them to the emergency room for immediate assistance. All drivers should carry with them an emergency kit in the car at all times. This should contain a first-aid kit, pen and paper, a disposable camera that can take photo images of the accident scene and an information card with medical details regarding any conditions, medication and allergies. Important, too, is a list of phone numbers that can be used in case of an emergency.
After the accident has taken place, the parties involved should exchange personal details such as phone number, names, address, car license plate numbers, driver license details, insurance provider details and policy number. If driver’s name is different from insurance policy holder, then both names should be noted down. A description of the car, make, color, condition and model is important as well. Taking images of the vehicles involved and the positions of the accident might provide crucial information and evidence. If there are any witnesses to the accident, then their contact information may be collected as they may prove useful later on in case of a dispute.
It is often a good idea to inform the police about the accident, especially if the damages are extensive or there are any injured victims or fatalities. A police report will come in handy especially if there are any claims regarding the accident. If the police come to the scene, then that’s important as they will produce a report. Sometimes they may not visit the scene so filing a report afterward is important.
The next step would be to inform the insurance provider. Insurance companies often advice their customers to not admit liability but to contact them in case of a roadside accident. Sometimes the Police can contact them and provide them more accurate information regarding the accident and the location. Car owners may be too upset or distraught to provide accurate information to the insurance company. Finding out what is covered is also important as expenses may begin right away. Cars may need towing, a rental car may be required; these will depend on the insurance policy and the amount of cover a particular driver has. Informing insurance agents early enough when the event is still fresh is much better than making them aware of the incident much later.
Jessica Cohen is a health, fitness and financial blogger. She is also a contributing writer for Policy Expert.
