NHTSA statistics record that over six million car accidents happen in the US. Luckily, a greater percentage damages property as compared to harming the driver and passengers. A third of the accidents injure the occupants, and two fatalities are recorded for every ten cases.
So, in case you find yourself in a more significant percentage, there are a couple of things you need to do to be on the safe side. Remember, regardless of your sincerity and openness, you need convincing proof to qualify a claim. And that is what makes dealing with claim adjusters so hectic. So, that is precisely what we will be addressing in this post. Read along.
What To Do in the Scene of an Accident
STOP
Even if it was a minor accident, don’t drive away—it is a punishable offense. If there are any injured victims, work ways of evacuating them from the scene. Also, set up flares to indicate there is an accident, to minimize traffic.
Call the Police
Whether it was fatal or mild, it is always recommended to call the police to formalize the matter. Again, that’s why you should not move the vehicles out of the scene unless it is messing up the traffic. Remember, you will need a police report when filing for compensation from your insurer.
Articulate Everything Accurately
When recording a statement with the police, remain as factual as possible. State everything as you experienced, and do not speculate at all. The information you give here can be used against you in court. In case you have any doubts about specific questions—say you are not sure.
Also, do not admit you have not been injured, because the effects of most car accidents happen hours or a couple of days later. You also need to ascertain what the other party says is true—but politely. Above all, never confess you were responsible for the accident.
Record Snapshots
If possible, take photos of the cars’ damaged parts and any injuries you may have experienced. However, be sure this does not obstruct the police from doing their investigation. Sometimes they may intercept any recordings for security purposes. In that case, consider recording immediately after they leave.
Get Contacts of Everyone Involved
The police are a neutral party. All they do is collect details about the accidents for purposes of record keeping. If the other party is furious, minimize conversations at whatever cost. But because you still need their contact information and other passengers, you can request that from the police.
Notify Your Insurer
Seek to inform your insurance company immediately. Most insurers expect you to report just after the accident, and you accord them full cooperation. They would follow up with the police, establish how genuine your case is, and offer swift compensation if you qualified.
Go for Medical Check-up
As we pointed out earlier, most car injuries become apparent long after the incident. At that point, the condition could have escalated and challenging to address. So, consider visiting a medical practitioner as soon as you can. Again, this is an opportunity to find out any medical benefits you may have from your insurer.
File All Your Claim Documents Together
Any document you are issued during this period is equally important—keep them in a file. Information such as claim number, adjuster’s details, and everyone else involved in the accident shouldn’t be something you want to assume.
Connect With a Reliable Insurance Agency in Colorado
You may go through all these steps, have a solid proof that you qualify for compensation, and still miss it. Fortunately, Hopson Insurance Agency is here to offer genuine car insurance services. Contact us today and let us relieve you of that pinch of losing your car after an accident.
