If you are involved in an accident, it can frighten you to the point that you cannot remain very calm. When you are more calm and are sure that you are fine and not injured in any way, you have to take a few steps toward receiving your insurance compensation.
If you leave the scene of an accident you are going against the law, particularly if there are injuries or damages sustained in the accident. At times, some people will flee the scene of an accident, although this does not happen often. Once you have calmed down, be sure to notice the other vehicle’s license plate. When it is safe to do so, secure the area, turn off the ignition and turn on hazard warnings to alert oncoming traffic of the situation.
When injuries have been sustained or the collision is in a dangerous spot, call 911 or another number that used as an emergency response number. When anyone is fleeing the scene of an accident they have been involved in, call the emergency response number. Do not rush to accept fault for the accident; remain calm when it is quite obvious who is at fault in the collision.
Begin by exchanging driver information; names, addresses, phone numbers–cellular-if it is available, vehicle registration and insurance details. After this, you should make notes that detail the accident; draw a map of the scene, showing street names, the point of impact, the direction each vehicle was traveling, skid marks and show all damages. As you give the details of the accident, be sure you give the make, model and color of each vehicle involved in the collision.
If you have a cell phone that takes pictures or a camera, you could benefit greatly by this.
It is important to gather information from as many witnesses as possible and also get their phone numbers and vehicle registration. Write down the condition of others involved in the accident, whether or not they are impaired or if they might have been distracted when driving. Was anyone eating or talking on their cell phone while driving their vehicle or were road or weather conditions a contributing factor of the accident.
When you have reported the accident to the police and they have allowed you to leave the scene, make a call to your insurance provider to inform them of the accident and the damages incurred. Your insurance company may provide you with a rental car if your car is not drivable and your coverage has this provision in it.
At this point the insurance company will make an appointment to examine the damaged vehicle and photograph it for their records. As soon as the insurance company has made their assessment of the damages, they will tell you if the vehicle can be fixed. When the auto’s condition is repairable, then you will have to decide where the repairs can be taken care of.
When the vehicle has been taken to the auto repair shop, the deductible which is indicated on your insurance policy has to be paid by you and then the remaining balance of the bill will be paid by the auto insurance company. When the repairs have been done and the auto is in your possession before the deductible has been paid, it is possible for your vehicle to be legally impounded and this could cost you more than the deductible.
Visit Peppercoin Insurance to read more great auto insurance articles including ‘Getting A Cheaper Auto Insurance Deal‘ and more.
Filed Under Car insurance