Driving is, without a doubt, a great experience for billions around the world. Not only is it an essential part of everyday life, but it’s also responsible for creating countless precious memories: the first time you drive a car, unforgettable road trip adventures, or deep and uninterrupted conversations during long rides.
Sadly, however, driving is not always a pleasure-filled experience, and no, I’m not talking about traffic jams, road ragers, or aggressive drivers; I’m talking about the worst thing that can happen to a driver, a car accident. Ranging from fender benders to fatal crashes, millions and millions of these unfortunate events happen all around the world and are increasing each year.
Being in a car accident is no walk in the park. Aside from the risk of physical injury, a cloud of confusion and sometimes anger hangs over the drivers and passenger,s which leads to missing some significant details and making some bad decisions.
Therefore, it’s always better to be prepared than caught off guard. Knowing what to expect and do in these situations can make all the difference. So, here are five things you should do if, god forbid, you get into a car accident.
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1- Stop the Vehicle and Park in a Safe Place
First and foremost, stop your car and never leave the scene of the accident, even if the crash is minor or you can be subject to a criminal investigation. Look around to identify a safe spot to park your car, ensuring it’s completely off the road and not obstructing traffic. If your car is heavily damaged and can’t be moved, turn your hazard lights on and set up your emergency triangle a few feet behind the car – this step is crucial to alert incoming drivers and have them avoid crashing into your car.
As you do that, you need to check if you or any of your passengers are injured or unconscious, prompting the immediate need to call an ambulance. In case there are no injuries, it’s then time to calm yourself down, take a couple of deep breaths, and move on to the next step.
2- Call the Police to Report the Accident and Keep Your Emotions in Check
If the accident is minor with no heavy damage or injury involved then it’s acceptable to make a deal with the other driver without getting any other parties involved. However, when the damage
is considerable, or someone gets hurt, you need to call the police and report the accident. The police can efficiently handle the situation and guarantee justice, serving as an unbiased mediator between the individuals concerned with the crash.
As you wait for the police to arrive, it’s impossible not to have an exchange of words with the other driver. Remember that these situations are tense and could escalate quickly. Therefore, try not to let your emotions get the better of you, even if it isn’t your fault, because fighting or exchanging insults will do no one any good. Instead, try to contain the situation and remain calm until the police arrive.
3- Document the Accident and Take Pictures
Start by exchanging information with the other involved parties. Name, driver’s license number, addresses, phone numbers, insurance, and vehicle particulars. Move on to record details of the accident, such as how, when, and where it happened. Include time, date, location, speed of your vehicle, weather, and road conditions.
Once you’re done documenting, begin taking pictures of your car, the other car, and the crash site. Make sure to capture photos from all four angles, clearly showing the extent of damage to both exterior and interior. It is preferred (if possible) to take the pictures before moving the cars to the side of the road.
4- Explain What Happened to the Police
Upon the police’s arrival, they will examine the scene of the accident, make an initial assessment, and then listen to each driver’s version of the story before making any judgments. When it’s your turn to talk, speak honestly without exaggeration, but don’t admit fault, ascribe blame, or make comments about the other driver or the incident.
Focus on mentioning as many relevant details as you can, including a precise description of the damage that had been done to your vehicle. Review the police report, ask for a copy if possible, and verify the information written in the description to avoid any mistakes (for example: “ the left headlight is broken” instead of the right headlight). Mistakes like this happen more often than
you think and prevent drivers from being covered by insurance because it only covers the damage mentioned in the police report.
5- Call Your Insurance Company While the Damage Is Still Recent
call your insurance company after you’re done talking to the police, even if it’s a minor accident, to initiate the claim process and ensure your rights are protected. This notification allows the company to gather details, investigate the accident, and provide guidance and support throughout the process. It also protects you from potential issues down the road, like the other party filing a surprise claim or facing unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
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