What To Do if You Are in an Accident

The summer months are typically the best time to take road trips, visit family, and enjoy long beach days. However, while we love the fun that summer brings, car accidents are at their highest during the sunny season, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. While no one wants to think about getting in a car accident, it’s better to be prepared if one occurs, so here is a quick guide for what to do if you are in an accident.

Check Yourself and Passengers for Injuries

After a collision, it is important to check for injuries so the proper help can be called. Make sure you and your passengers are injury-free before leaving the vehicle. In certain cases, moving an injured person can create more injury. Once you have ensured everyone is safe, throw on your emergency lights and move the car to safety if possible. If you are in an intersection or anywhere that can leave you exposed to being hit, move your car or yourself and the passengers to safety. 

Call 911

It is important to call law enforcement so they can help with traffic, document the accident, and ensure that everyone is safe. In addition, if anyone has acquired an injury, calling 911 will also dispatch an ambulance to help. While it is not always required to call 911 after an accident, some states require it. And if you are out of your home state, it’s a good idea to call. 

Collect The Right Information 

After everyone is accounted for and safe, exchanging information is the next step. As long as there is no sign of aggression or road rage, approach the other driver to get the following information: 

• Name and contact information
• Insurance policy number and company name 
• Driver’s license and license plate number
• Accident location
• Type and model of vehicle

Make sure you never agree to a fault, a damage payout, or make any deals outside of your insurance company. 

Take Photos 

It is important to document the accident with photos. Try to take pictures of multiple angles, from more than one distance, and of the surrounding area. In addition, take pictures of the exterior and interior damages, any injuries, and the location of your accident. 

Call Your Insurance Company

After you have acquired all the necessary information, call your insurance company to let them know what happened. They will walk you through the next steps and take all the gathered information for your claim.

While getting in a car accident can be scary and overwhelming, we are here to help. Our collision repair will help get you and your car back on the road safely. We offer a stress-free process and work with your insurance company to help alleviate some of the frustration around getting your car repaired. Reach out to our team today with any questions, and for information on collision repair, we are happy to help you.