In the US, about six million car accidents occur annually. Luckily the majority involve vehicle damage and not the occupants. However, some involve personal injuries where some are fatal. So, if you are caught up in a car accident, you can do things to protect yourself.
- Stop and protect the scene.
When you get in an accident, the first thing to do is stop and pull over your car in a well-lit place nearby. Also, be calm and use your emergency flashers so you can alert oncoming cars. Finally, if you can’t move your car, get yourself and the occupants away from the scene.
- Call the ambulance or police.
After you, your vehicles and occupants are safe to check if there are any injuries. You can call fire and rescue or an ambulance if there is someone with minor or fatal injuries. When you call 911, make sure you know the location and if not, ask around. If police come and don’t make a report, make sure you go to the police station to report. It will be helpful in case the other drivers sue you and also in cases of a claim.
- Collect the right information
Once you contact the ambulance, you might forget to collect important information. So, it’s always advisable to keep your documents in order. Here are some documents you should have in your car:
- Registration
- Proof of insurance
- Name and number of your insurance professional
- Medical information for you, pets, and loved ones.
When exchanging documents, give insurance and contact information only. Here is a list of the information you should collect:
- Name and contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license and license plate number
- Type, color, and model of vehicle
- Location of accident
All the information will help you when claiming from your insurance company.
4. Start an insurance claim.
It’s vital to call your insurance provider as soon as possible. It will help make your claim faster and even offer other services included in your policy. Ask questions to know what’s needed for the claim and know if there is a deadline for filing. If you are in Medford and the insurance company takes long, you can get a car accident lawyer to file a suit to make the process faster.
Don’t panic in an accident. Instead, follow the above steps, and you will be well as you take care of things calmly. Contact Black Chapman Petersen & Stevens for more details.
