Auto Accidents

What to Do After an Accident

It's a fact of life: accidents happen. While the very nature of a car accident means we can't exactly pencil them into our planners or plug the date into a PDA (and who would want to?) there are ways to help smooth over the time immediately after your car gets up close and personal with the vehicle in front of or behind you.

First, take a breath. Yes, you've been in a crash, but you're alive. Take a moment to clear your head, then immediately call 911. While you wait for the authorities to arrive, help speed things along by doing the following:

• Find your insurance info: If you're not already keeping your insurance card and the number for filing a claim in your glove compartment, or clipped to the back of your visor, you should be. You can't actually call them until the police have issued an accident report, but the arriving officers will want your information. It's also a good idea to keep a disposable camera (the kind that use actual film) and a pen and pad in your car as well.
• Wait. Stay with your car, at the scene of the accident, until the police or highway patrol have given you permission to leave. While you wait, snap photos of the scene, and any damage to your car or the other car involved. If you have that pen and pad, sketch the accident – no one will be judging your artistic ability, but diagrams are helpful. Trade information with the other driver(s) involved, including contact info, insurance details, and plate and VIN numbers when possible. Important: Never, ever admit to being at-fault, even if you're certain you are. Let the cops sort out the blame.
• Remain calm when relating your story to the police. Be complete, but concise. Be sure that you've provided your name, contact information, and insurance information. As well, do not leave without learning the officer's name and badge number. If they are not equipped to provide a copy of the accident report on-scene, make sure they at least give you a contact phone number and the incident report number. When you are asked questions, give clear answers, but don't offer opinions.

Once you get home

After you've been released from the accident scene, if you have no injuries that require medical attention, go home. Take a shower or bath, and eat something. Then review your insurance policy and make notes about any questions you might have. Finally, call the claims number for your insurance. Even if you don't yet have an accident report, you can alert them that something happened, so they'll be prepared when they hear from the other driver's insurance company.

After the Accident:

The most important thing to remember after an accident is that even though the insurance company is handling the payments, you are in control. After all, you pay them. What this means to you is:

• Choose your own mechanic. Your insurance company does not have the right to select who does the work on your car, though they may make recommendations,
• If you feel the repair job is inadequate, don't sign off on it. Insist that repairs be complete, and be sure to take advantage of thirty-day guarantees. Sometimes a faulty repair job takes a few days of driving to show up.
• Don't accept generic parts as replacements, unless your policy has a clause requiring them.

Being in an accident is frightening, and the paperwork afterward can be equally so. If you were lucky enough that there were no bodily injuries in your accident, your resolution shouldn't be all that difficult. Just remember to learn about new auto reviews and ask questions if anything feels or seems wrong, and to be honest whenever someone asks you anything. By staying calm and being prepared, you've done your part to provide a smooth post-accident experience.

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