If you have been involved in a minor car accident, you might be left wondering what to do. You should always be prepared to protect your rights and to properly handle matters when you must face such situations.
Being involved in a minor accident doesn’t mean you are a bad driver, it might just mean you are having some bad luck. Because you are less likely to suffer injuries in a very minor car accident and your only matter to resolve is most likely damages to your vehicle, your claim might be easier to settle.
What to Do Right After a Minor Car Accident
There are several tips that can help you get things in order immediately after a minor car accident. Here are some things that you need to do.
- The first thing to do is to check to see if anyone was hurt. Some injuries are not immediately noticeable and even minor car accidents can lead to some injuries. If you aren’t sure about an injury, go ahead and ask for an ambulance when you call for help.
- Check for fire, smoke, or sparks. If you see smoke or flames, or if you smell gasoline, move away from your vehicle. If the airbags have deployed, you can expect to see some dust in the air, but if you see actual smoke you need to call for a fire truck.
- Don’t block traffic if you can avoid doing so. If it is a minor car accident, and your vehicle is operable, move it out of the road so no other accidents occur. Try to move to the shoulder or to a parking lot so you can talk with the driver of the other vehicle.
- Stay calm, cool, and collected. It is only normal to get upset or be in shock after an accident, but you need to keep check on your emotions and stay in control of them. Don’t apologize even if you think you are at fault for the crash and don’t blame the other driver if they are at fault.
- Exchange information. You need to exchange phone numbers and insurance information with the other driver.
- Call the police. An accident report will need to be filed. Many insurance companies require an accident report and there are laws that state accidents where someone is injured, or damages exceed a certain dollar amount must be reported.
- Take photos of the accident scene and the damages. Use your smartphone to take photos of the accident scene and of the damages to the vehicles. Get as many different angles as you can.
- Don’t promise to pay for damages or to not call the police. Don’t promise to not file a claim with insurance. You need to go by the book.
- Never leave the scene of an accident without exchanging contact information or calling the police.
- Notify your insurance company. You need to report the accident to them even if it wasn’t your fault.
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