What you need to know is that there are over 8 million car accidents that occur in the US each year. You can’t prevent an accident entirely- afterall, it’s why they call it an “accident”- but there are steps you should take that will ensure a safe resolution after impact. Even though the situation may become stressful, we recommend staying calm and focused. To help you remember, just keep these five important steps in mind.
Handle an Accident in 5 Simple Steps
1. Safety First
Once an accident happens, assess the situation and your safety. Can you and your car move? For whatever reason, immediately turn your hazard lights on and let other drivers know there’s something wrong. If it is a minor accident, move your vehicle to the side of the road, out of traffic, and to a safer location. Put your car into park, turn off the vehicle, and make sure your hazards are still flashing. Take a deep breath. If needed, and especially at night, consider using flares or other road safety objects if you have them.
2. Find Help
Take into account what your location is. Make sure it’s safe to get out of your vehicle. Immediately check on any passengers you have, and all parties involved. This includes drivers, passengers, and potential nearby pedestrians. Call 911 immediately if there are any injuries. Even if it’s a minor accident, a police report is highly recommended to try and obtain for the insurance claim process.
3. Document Everything
You’ll want to (without yelling or arguing) gather information from the other drivers involved in the accident, and also give them yours. Names and contact information of drivers and passengers, vehicle descriptions (like the make, model, year), driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information (company and policy numbers), eyewitnesses (names and contact info), location of scene, and the police officer’s name and badge number are all highly recommended to take down. Also make sure to take photos of the scene from all angles for reference.
4. File A Claim With Your Insurance Company
It is important to notify your insurance agent as soon as possible! If you’re not sure who to call, simply check the back of your insurance card for your insurer’s customer service information. Be as accurate as possible when giving the details of what happened and comply with all questions and requests. Keep any related documents and information together for the entirety of the claim process.
5. Call Goodfellas Collision Repair Center
Don’t let your insurance company send you to their collision center. As a car owners, you have every right to choose your own repair shop. Bring in your vehicle as soon as you can and Goodfellas Collision Center will take it from there. We can get your vehicle back up and running in better condition than it was before the accident. Before you know it, you’ll be back on the road. Call us today and remember to always drive safe!