STAY CALM, KEEP THE ACCIDENT FROM GETTING RSE
1. Turn off ignition. Turn on four-way flas- RENDER AID
If anyone is injured:
1. Render first aid if qualified
2. Stop bleeding
3. Call an ambulance
4. Do not move an injured person in any way that could possibly add to the injury - Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
- 4. Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.
- The final question in dealing with an accident is usually who will pay for the
damages? If the accident was minor, you and the other drivers may decide to handle
the damages yourselves without the involvement of an insurance company. But this
isn't always the best idea, for several reasons.
While the other driver may agree to pay for the damage to your car on the day of the accident, he may see the repair bills and decide it's too high. At this point, time has passed and your insurance company will have more difficulty piecing together the evidence if you file a claim.
Also, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company. He may even claim injuries that weren't apparent at the scene of the accident. This means that your insurance company may end up paying him a hefty settlement, or worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit. So make sure that your company has your version of what happened and check your policy if the damages paid out by your insurance company are below a certain amount, the accident may not be considered chargeable. And you will avoid the penalty of a premium hike. - Seek advise from a an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases as soon as possible. It is best that you consult with an attorney before giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters to avoid communication errors.