What to do if you are involved in a Car Accident?

When you have an accident in most cases we are not thinking right. it happens to the best of us. As Humans we panic, get angry, upset etc. We all agree being in a Car accident is not the best feeling no matter how small the accident is. It shakes us up to the core.

We all also agree that we cannot do much once the accident has occurred. Now the important question is who is at fault and who is not. The following scenarios can play out:

-The driver of the car with whom you had the accident stays at the scene
-The driver of the car with whom you had the accident flees the scene
-The driver of the car with whom you had the accident tries to make a deal as he/she has no insurance.
-The driver of the car with whom you had the accident tries to make a deal thinking he/she is at fault
-It is a hit and run. Driver who hit your car is nowhere to be found- In this case you should call the police as soon as you can. Also call your insurance company or broker to notify of the damage.

What ever happens you should collect some valuable information which will help.

The most important thing -DONOT SAY SORRY OR ADMIT ITS YOUR FAULT TO ANYONE AT THE SCENE.

Make sure everyone is ok, call the police and start exchanging information. Now a days most of us have smartphones so the best thing you can do is take pictures of 3 items- the ownership document, insurance document and license of the driver who was involved in the accident. If the police comes to the scene and makes a report take a picture of the police report. Collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw what happened.

REMEMBER- passenger sitting in the vehicle involved in the accident is not considered a witness in most cases.

Call for a tow truck and ambulance if required. If a tow truck comes you should always remember you do have an option to the vehicle to the car yard / body shop of your choice.

One last thing take pictures of the surroundings, the damage to your vehicle and damage to the other vehicle(s) or the property involved.

The information you need in order to set up a claim:
Date of the Accident:
Time of the Accident:
Name of the Owner of the Vehicle:
Name of the Driver of the Vehicle:
Year + Make + Model of the vehicle:
Body type (pick up, sedan, suv etc):
License Plate of the Vehicle:
Insurance Company name:
Insurance Policy Number:
Address of the Driver:
Phone numbers of the Driver:
Address of the owner:
Driver's License number of the Driver:
Witness' Name:
Witness' Phone Number:
Did any one get a ticket? If yes who?
Police Officer's name:
Police officer's Badge Number:
Police officer's Phone number:
Location of the Accident (nearest intersection):
Address of the Accident (if possible):