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Share using email. Collect important information Use your cellphone camera to take pictures of documents or, with pen and paper, get the name, address, phone number and driver's license number of everyone involved in the accident. Call a tow truck if needed Depending on how much damage your car sustained, it may need to be towed to a collision repair center, Luna says.
Call your insurance company While it may be tempting to negotiate a cash deal to avoid making an insurance claim, not notifying your insurance company after a crash can leave you liable for damages stemming from the accident.
Take the high-tech route Many insurers now offer virtual tools such as a mobile phone app to allow you to begin the claims process online. See your doctor You may feel perfectly fine right after an accident, but some injuries become apparent only after a day or two.
Be proactive It's easier to remain calm after an accident when you're prepared. Also of Interest Ways to become a safer driver 8 signs you've found the right auto shop DIY car maintenance tips. Get a copy of the police report. Avoid expressing anger toward the other driver. Also, resist discussing any potential injuries. Even in a fender bender, those can take hours or days after to manifest.
Have similar information for loved ones and pets on hand or easily available. That prevents you from saying anything that could get used against you later. Holeman provides this list of what you should collect for insurance claims:. Be sure to take pictures or video of any damage to both cars, talk to witnesses, write all you can remember about what happened, or even record with audio or video details. Also, document injuries, road and weather, and anything else you believe contributed to the accident.
If you have a mobile device, note-taking apps or insurance company mobile apps can be helpful in documenting accident details. A good mobile app can be critical because, besides documenting the accident details, your insurer may be able to send a tow truck and provide rental car options via the app. Later, save bills and medical records from the accident, since you might need them for claims or court. Many insurers have been improving their virtual car insurance claims process, especially during the pandemic.
That process depends on where you live, since 18 states have no-fault insurance laws , and require that you have personal injury protection PIP on your policy to pay medical bills for injuries related to the accident, loss of income and other expenses no matter who is at fault. In states without no-fault laws, insurers use different methods to determine who is at fault.
For example, in some states your claim amount is reduced by your percentage of fault. Dahna Chandler is an award-winning business and finance journalist with over 20 years of experience writing for major media outlets. Note: With smartphones, gathering information is easier than ever before. Gathering information after an accident is paramount to achieving a successful outcome in your claim or case.
In certain cases, you may be too injured to gather every detail. However, pay close attention to what other parties say. The accident report will be an important document in any future litigation. Keep your actions and reactions professional. Carefully document everything you can about the scene. Take cell phone pictures if possible.
Get the name and contact information of other parties involved, of law enforcement officers at the scene, and of any witnesses. Look for traffic cameras or business security cameras that may have recorded the accident.
Write down everything you remember about the crash and what other parties said to you, to police, or to someone else at the scene. Keep a log of additional contacts made, which may include insurance companies, follow up by law enforcement, body shops, and towing companies. Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, bills and other paperwork. You are likely required by your insurance company to make immediate notification after an accident. Failure to notify your insurance company can result in a denial of your claim.
While you are required to do so, you are not required to give long detailed statements or admit fault. There may come a time in your accident claim when your insurance company becomes an adversary. Our Boston car accident lawyers recommend making notification of the fact that an accident occurred. But speaking with an experienced lawyer is the best course of action before having additional interaction with your insurance carrier. As we've discussed, knowing the full extent of injuries can be impossible in the immediate aftermath of an accident.
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