No one wants to be in an auto accident - it can be a very stressful event.
There are a few important steps to take if you are ever involved in a crash - call 911 if anyone is injured, call the police, exchange information with the other drivers, document the scene with pictures and notes, and report the accident to your insurance company.
Just the Facts and Opinions! When you call the police to the scene of the accident, they will take an accident report.
This report will include all the details of what transpired from all the parties involved and any witnesses.
This accident report provides your insurance company with the details needed to properly process your claim.
This report may also be needed if a lawsuit is filed because of the accident.
Providing accurate and detailed information is essential.
This will help the police determine who is at fault, and will also help the figure out if there are any mitigating circumstances, such as road work, signage that is not easily visible, or other vehicles which fled the scene.
It is important to tell the officer at the scene everything you can remember.
They want all the facts, but you should also tell them what you think.
If you believe the other driver to be at fault, it is fine to tell them that.
It is not necessary to rant and rave, but if you are of the opinion that the other driver did something wrong, it is important to provide your opinion.
Even Minor Accidents Should be Reported Even if you believe the damage or your injuries to be insignificant, an accident report should be filled out.
Injuries sometimes show symptoms days later, and other drivers sometimes make false claims weeks after the facts.
You want to protect yourself from fraudulent claims or in case you have actually suffered a more serious injury than first believed.
If you you and the other driver have decided to handle the financial issues without reporting it to your insurance carriers, it is still a good idea to have an accident report - it will protect both parties in case of a subsequent dispute.
While the police officer is writing up the report, you should also make your own report - take some pictures and write down some notes.
This will help you remember the details and give you some photographic evidence that may be needed at a later time.
Also remember to get information on the office - name, badge number, and precinct - in case you need to ask questions or provide additional details at a later time.
There are a few important steps to take if you are ever involved in a crash - call 911 if anyone is injured, call the police, exchange information with the other drivers, document the scene with pictures and notes, and report the accident to your insurance company.
Just the Facts and Opinions! When you call the police to the scene of the accident, they will take an accident report.
This report will include all the details of what transpired from all the parties involved and any witnesses.
This accident report provides your insurance company with the details needed to properly process your claim.
This report may also be needed if a lawsuit is filed because of the accident.
Providing accurate and detailed information is essential.
This will help the police determine who is at fault, and will also help the figure out if there are any mitigating circumstances, such as road work, signage that is not easily visible, or other vehicles which fled the scene.
It is important to tell the officer at the scene everything you can remember.
They want all the facts, but you should also tell them what you think.
If you believe the other driver to be at fault, it is fine to tell them that.
It is not necessary to rant and rave, but if you are of the opinion that the other driver did something wrong, it is important to provide your opinion.
Even Minor Accidents Should be Reported Even if you believe the damage or your injuries to be insignificant, an accident report should be filled out.
Injuries sometimes show symptoms days later, and other drivers sometimes make false claims weeks after the facts.
You want to protect yourself from fraudulent claims or in case you have actually suffered a more serious injury than first believed.
If you you and the other driver have decided to handle the financial issues without reporting it to your insurance carriers, it is still a good idea to have an accident report - it will protect both parties in case of a subsequent dispute.
While the police officer is writing up the report, you should also make your own report - take some pictures and write down some notes.
This will help you remember the details and give you some photographic evidence that may be needed at a later time.
Also remember to get information on the office - name, badge number, and precinct - in case you need to ask questions or provide additional details at a later time.