What To Do After Collision

When you are in a vehicle collision you need to be prepared, whether you caused the accident or not. Being prepared will help protect your right to make an automobile insurance claim for yourself or against the at-fault driver. Being prepared can also protect you if another driver falsely accuses you for being at-fault and/or causing the accident.

Being in an accident can be a traumatic experience, so knowing what to do is a key component in how you handle the situation.

Here is a list of important rules to follow if you have been in a collision:

1. STOP: Never leave the scene of a collision, even if it is a minor accident.
2. REMAIN CALM: As in most situations, “Cooler heads prevail”. Your ability to stay focused under pressure will help you make better decisions, help those in need, and clearly assess the situation for yourself, your passengers, and the other person(s) involved.
3. CHECK FOR INJURIES: Start by assessing yourself. If you are uninjured, check your passengers and lastly, the other person(s) involved in the accident.
4. CALL THE POLICE: Even if the accident is minor and/or there are no serious injuries, it is a good idea to call the police. You may need a police report to file a claim with your insurance company, even if it is just to make a claim for damage to your vehicle.
5. PROTECT THE SCENE: This will assist in preventing further accidents and protect all parties involved. If possible, set up flares and keep your flashers on. If it is dark and your lights do not work, you should always have a flashlight to keep you safe. Being seen not only prevents causing additional accidents, but it also protects you from the other person(s) involved in the collision.
6. STAY PUT: The vehicles involved in the accident should remain where they are so the police have a clear picture of what happened. However, in the event the vehicles interfere with traffic (and if the vehicles are still able to be moved/driven safely) you will want to move the vehicles out of the flow of traffic. The side of the road or an immediate parking lot are ideal.
7. BE SURE TO BE ACCURATE: When the police arrive, make sure to tell the officer(s)-on-scene exactly what happened, to the best of your ability (nothing more/nothing less). If you are not sure of certain facts, tell the officer(s), “I’m not sure!”. Do not speculate, guess, or mis-state any of the facts. When you are asked if you are injured by the officer(s) or the other driver(s), always say, “I’m not sure!”, rather than no. Often, the pain and injuries from an automotive collision do not become apparent for hours, even days, after the actual accident. You should also make sure statements made by other person(s) involved in the accident are accurate, as well.
8. TAKE PICTURES: Whenever possible, you should take pictures of all vehicles involved and the roads and conditions surrounding the accident scene. If you have visible injuries, you should photograph them as well. However, you should in no way interfere with the on-going police investigation. If you cannot take pictures at the scene of the accident, take them as soon as possible after the accident.
9. EXCHANGE INFORMATION: Be sure to obtain the name, address and telephone number of all persons involved in the accident. This needs to include all drivers and passengers alike. Ask to see the insurance card for all vehicles involved, too. If there are witnesses, it serves you well to get their information in the event that you, your attorney, or the police need to contact them in the future. If police do respond to the accident, the investigating officer(s) will provide all drivers with a police report number. You can use that number to obtain the police report. NOTE: If the accident occurs on a state highway, you must request the report from the State Police.
10. REPORT THE ACCIDENT: Notify your and/or the responsible party’s insurance company as soon as possible. Many policies require immediate reporting, full disclosure, and complete cooperation. This is also a good time to inquire what your policy will and will-not cover. *Know Your Policy*
11. KEEP A FILE: It is imperative that you maintain all accident-related documentation and information. Key information includes the claim number, the claim adjuster who is handling the claim, names, phone numbers and emails of all contacts, and receipts for all expenses incurred due to the accident. Anything that is related to the accident and/or may be needed later should be kept in this file.
12. PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS: It is a good idea to consult an attorney. An attorney can protect you and your rights by making sure crucial evidence is not tampered with or destroyed. Insurance companies will try to take statements immediately after the accident. Protect yourself by getting legal advice before providing such a statement. Attorneys can consult you on issues from how to ensure you are fully compensated for damages to your vehicle to how to know you are getting the best medical treatment. Personal injury attorneys usually work on a “contingency fee” basis, which means there is no legal fee unless they recover compensation for you.