What You Need To Do After a Car Accident: A Complete Guide
It's normal to feel frazzled after a car accident, even a minor one. To get your life back to normal quickly after a crash, it's important to stay safe, document the accident properly and work with your insurance company.
What to do if you get in a car accident:
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1. Move to a safe place and check for injuries
Before doing anything else, check to see if anyone in your car is hurt. Call 911 immediately if someone needs urgent medical care.
Then, if you can do so safely, move your car to the side of the road and out of traffic. If you're still close to passing cars, turn on your emergency lights to warn other drivers. If it's dark, find a flashlight to help you see.
2. Call the police and file a report
Once you're safe, call the police to file an official report. Even if there are no major injuries and there is no damage to the cars, you'll need the report if you file an insurance claim later.
When talking with the police, keep in mind that a police report is used only to capture facts. Don't admit fault or put blame on other drivers or pedestrians, and don't assume any details about the accident.
3. Share insurance and personal info
Next, you'll need to gather info for your own records. Many auto insurance companies have smartphone apps that help you document the right details, which can be useful when you file a claim.
You need to get info from the other driver, including their:
- Name, address and phone number
- Insurance company and policy number
- License plate number
- Vehicle description, make and model
You should also write down the date and time of the accident, along with contact info for any witnesses.
Even if a police officer documents some of the facts, make sure you have them for your own records.
If the other driver caused the accident, you should also contact their insurance company. Sometimes, people who cause an accident won't report it for fear of raising their insurance rates or concerns about other financial or legal repercussions.
4. Take photos of the damage
Next, take photos of both cars, along with any visible injuries. These photos can act as proof when you file your insurance claim.
You should take photos of:
- All four sides of each car in the accident
- The damaged parts of your car, from multiple angles
- Your car's VIN and odometer reading
Make sure the photo quality is clear enough to see the damage, or lack of damage.
If you have a dashcam, download the footage and send it to your insurance company. This will be especially helpful if the other driver refuses to assume responsibility, since live video footage can clearly show the sequence of events.
5. Review your insurance coverage
Next, you'll need to deal with the insurance companies. If you're not sure already, take a look at your insurance policy to see what it covers before calling your insurance company.
What to do after an accident in a no-fault state
If you live in a no-fault state and you cause an accident, your insurance company will cover your medical bills and lost wages.
That's because these states require personal injury protection (PIP). You must file a claim with your own insurance company after causing a crash to get these benefits.
If another driver caused the accident, you must make a claim through that driver's insurance company.
Puerto Rico and the following 12 states are no-fault states:
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
6. Call your insurance company
Many insurance companies require you to report accidents right away. If possible, call your insurance company while still at the scene of the accident, or right after you leave. This can help ensure you provide the most accurate info.
Also remember: Reporting an accident to the insurance company isn't the same as filing a claim, so it won't automatically increase your rates.
But once you file a claim, your monthly rates may increase, even if the accident wasn't your fault.
Different insurance companies raise their rates by varying amounts. Progressive and Geico are more likely to increase your rates after accidents you didn't cause, while State Farm is the least likely to do so, according to the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).
If you do move forward with a claim, you need to pay a deductible first. After investigating your claim, the insurance company will send you an offer with the payout amount. Depending on the company, your plan may require you to pay your repair or medical bills out-of-pocket, and then reimburse you afterwards.
Sources
Data about rate increases after an accident is from the Consumer Federation of America.
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