Suppose an Accident Happens: Do You Know What to Do at the Scene?

By Teresa Ambord

Injuries from auto accidents occur every 11 seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), totaling over 6.3 million automobile crashes each year.  With odds like that, even the most careful driver is apt to be hit someday.

Before an accident happens:

  • As boring as it sounds, read your policy when you get it. Call your agent and ask questions if you don’t understand something.  Your policy will probably urge you not to sign any statements of responsibility or any notes that release another party from liability. The other driver may offer to pay your deductible if you release him or her from liability.  But that will make it hard or impossible for your insurance company to collect from the other driver’s insurance. If that happens, your insurer may refuse to pay your damages.
  • Keep a notepad and pencil in your glovebox for recording vital information if a crash occurs.  Some people also keep disposable cameras to take photos of damage.

At the scene of the accident, first check to see if anyone is hurt, then:

  • Make sure your car is off the road and take steps to protect it, such as setting up flares.
  • Don’t argue with other drivers, passengers, or passersby.
  • As mentioned above, don’t sign statements of fault or promises to pay for damage.
  • Call the police right away if nobody else at the scene has done so, and paramedics if there are injuries.
  • Don’t move injured people unless they are in the line of traffic, or there is other obvious danger like fire.   Do keep an injured person warm with a blanket or coat.

Collect as much information as possible to give to your agent, including:

  • Names, addresses, phone numbers of all drivers and passengers.
  • Driver’s license numbers and insurance companies and policy numbers.
  • Details about cars involved, make and model, license plate numbers,
  • Names and contact information for witnesses.
  • Names, badges, and contact information for police or other emergency personnel at the scene.
  • Ask the responding police officers where you can get a copy of the police report.
  • Record conditions that may have affected the car accident, such as driving conditions, obstructions, and the time and location. You may think you’ll remember later, but you may not.
  • If something about the accident strikes you as odd, mention it to your agent.  Staged accidents are not uncommon. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) the people who perpetrate these frauds can be dangerous, so don’t take it upon yourself to broach the possibility. Instead, call the NICB at their toll-free number, 1-800-TEL-NICB, or log onto their Web site for more information: NICB.
  • As soon as reasonably possible, contact your agent, regardless of who was at fault.  Make note of the names and contact information of everyone you deal with in the claims process.

Filing Your Claim:

  • Ask what will be required in order to support your claim.   You’ll probably need to fill out a proof of claim form.  Your insurer will likely want to see the police report if there is one.  Before you hand anything over, make copies of everything for yourself in a file specifically for this information.
  • Ask your agent if your policy pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, and if so, get details.
  • Cooperate with your agent, adjusters, and investigators so they can help you.  If they don’t tell you, ask if you need to get repair estimates for damage to your car.
  • If you don’t understand something about the claims process, ask.
  • Ask if there are relevant time limits for filing claims, submitting bills and other information, and resolving claim disputes.
  • If you are interested, ask your agent if they have a process whereby you can track the progress of your claim online.
  • If you need more information than you get from your insurer, log onto your state insurance department Web site.

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