If you are involved in an accident, it can frighten you to the point that you cannot remain very calm. When you are more calm and are sure that you are fine and not injured in any way, you have to take a few steps toward receiving your insurance compensation.
It is against the law to not stop at the scene of your accident, especially if there is injury and damages. It doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes people will flee the scene. After things are calmer and you are thinking more clearly, make sure you look at the other vehicle’s license plate. After you know it is safe to do it, secure the area around the accident by turning off the ignition, and turning on the hazard warnings to alert the oncoming traffic of the situation.
When injuries have been sustained or the collision is in a dangerous spot, call 911 or another number that used as an emergency response number. When anyone is fleeing the scene of an accident they have been involved in, call the emergency response number. If it is at all possible, do not admit to being at fault for the accident; stay calm, even when it is obvious who is at fault for the accident.
You should begin by exchanging driver information; addresses, names, phone numbers-including cellular, vehicle registration and insurance details. Next, make some notes about the accident; draw a map of the accident location and name the surrounding streets, the position of the vehicles, show the direction each was traveling, skid marks, points of contact and any damages that may have been incurred. As you give the details of the accident, be sure you give the make, model and color of each vehicle involved in the collision.
It would also be quite beneficial if you were to have a camera or cell phone that takes pictures.
It is important to gather information from as many witnesses as possible and also get their phone numbers and vehicle registration. Note the condition of others involved in the accident, whether they are impaired or not or distracted when driving. Was anyone eating or talking on their cell phone while driving their vehicle or were road or weather conditions a contributing factor of the accident.
When you have reported the accident to the police and they have allowed you to leave the scene, make a call to your insurance provider to inform them of the accident and the damages incurred. In the event that your car is not drivable, your insurance coverage may provide a rental car.
The insurance company will now want to make an appointment to look over the damaged vehicle and take pictures for their files. After the insurance company has made an assessment of the damage on the vehicle they will inform you of whether or not the vehicle can be repaired. If the vehicle is repairable, a decision will then have to be made as to where to get the repairs done.
Once the vehicle has been delivered to the auto repair shop, you must pay the person doing the repairs, the deductible that is indicated on your insurance policy and the remainder of the bill will be paid by the auto insurance company. When the repairs have been made and the vehicle is in your possession before the deductible has been paid, it is possible for your vehicle to be legally impounded and this could cost more than the deductible.
Visit Peppercoin Insurance to read more great auto insurance articles including ‘Know Your Auto Insurance Before Making A Switch‘ and more.