You’re involved in an auto accident. It’s a stressful time but it’s important to remain focused and attentive or find someone who can do that for you.
It is imperative to attend to the injured first, move out of the right of way if possible, call 911 and wait for help.
As your insurance agency, we’d like to remind you about the importance of collecting information and documenting the scene. Here are some recommendations for steps to take in the time immediately after an auto accident.
Call the police, even if the accident is minor. A police report can be invaluable to the claim process and help establish who’s at fault.
Gather information from others involved in the accident:
- Drivers and passengers (names and contact information)
- Vehicle descriptions (make, model, year)
- Driver’s license numbers
- License plate numbers
- Insurance companies and policy numbers
- Eyewitnesses: names and contact information
- Accident scene location or address
- Police officer’s name and badge number
Also:
- Take photos of all vehicles involved and the accident scene, if it is safe to do so.
- Do not sign any document unless it’s for the police or your insurance agent.
- Be polite, but don’t tell anyone the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
Later:
- Call your insurance company to start the claim process (even if nothing is ever filed).
- Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible.
- If a report is written, get a copy from the police department as soon as possible.