What To Do If You’re In A Car Accident: 6 Steps  

Accidents happen. In fact, there are an estimated 6 million car accidents reported to car insurance companies in the U.S. every year. Even if you’re the most responsible, safest driver you know, you’re also human, and humans make mistakes. If you do find yourself in a car accident, here’s what to do. 

1. Call 911 

If you’re in a car accident, no matter how minor the damage is, it’s important to call the police so you have a legal record of the accident. Even minor fender-benders can turn into bodily injury claims down the road, and you want everything properly documented. When you make the call to emergency services, they will also send out fire and medical to attend to any injuries. 

2. Go to the hospital even if you feel fine

With car accidents, you may feel fine initially, but that does not mean you’re not injured. Insist on going to the hospital to get checked out. This can protect your health as well as make it much easier to have your injuries covered by car insurance. 

3. Exchange information with the other driver 

You and the other driver will need to exchange insurance information, contact info, and license plate numbers – all information your car insurance company will need when you call to file a claim. 

4. Get contact info for witnesses 

Want to see the good in the world in action? Watch how many people stop to help when there is a traffic accident. It’s a beautiful thing to see. 

Ask those witnesses for their contact info. You may need to get in touch with them later when filing your car insurance claim. 

5. Take photos of the accident scene

The more documentation you have when you file an insurance claim, the better. Use your smartphone to take pictures of the scene of the accident, including damage to your vehicle and any other involved vehicles, the location of the accident, and damage to surrounding items like guardrails, landscaping, street lights, etc. Note the time, date, and location of the accident to give to your car insurance company later. 

6. Call your car insurance company 

Whether or not you think you are at fault in an accident, you should always call your auto insurance company to report the accident. Your insurance company will deal with the other driver’s car insurance company for you if necessary. 

Explain to your insurance company that you’ve been in an accident, but do not admit fault. “Fault” of an accident is determined by many factors, and even if you feel like you caused the accident, legally, you may not have. Let the evidence decide if you are at fault – don’t volunteer yourself. 

Tell your insurance company details of the accident and give them the contact info you collected at the accident scene. You will also submit the photos you took. 

It’s important to call your insurance company ASAP after an accident. Many car insurance companies have a time limit on when you can file a claim, so be expedient. 

After you’ve made the call to report the accident, the timeline of repairs, payouts, etc. is up to your insurance company. This can be a frustrating process, but don’t lose hope. Want to know if you’re properly covered in case an accident happens to you? Give us a call today!