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If you’re involved in an automobile accident, the first thing you should do is contact the police. If anyone is injured, give details to the police, and then give the victims whatever help you can, but try not to move them to avoid injuring them further. Make sure an ambulance or emergency rescue team has been summoned.
If you smell or see leaking gas, call the fire department and clear the area. The police will complete an on-the-scene accident report, something your insurance company will require to settle your claim. Cooperate with the police in giving them the necessary information, but try not to make self incriminating statements, such as taking blame for the accident. Your comments may be used against you later.
If another driver is involved in the incident, then exchange information with them.
- Be sure to obtain the other driver license number, registration, insurance agent’s name, insurer and policy number. Also, write down the name, address and work and home phone numbers of the driver and any passengers in the other vehicle. (The Police will not provide this information which will delay processing a claim) Make notes about their injuries, if any, and if they say they are unhurt.
- Record the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses, and the names and badge numbers of police officers or emergency personnel.
- If you have a camera with you, take photos showing the damage, positions of the cars, any skid marks or any other evidence which might help document what happened.
Make a sketch showing the positions of the cars before, during and after the collision. Keep your car in place, unless you’re creating a hazard. If the police can record the exact position of the cars when they crashed, it will help substantiate your claim. If it is unwise to leave your vehicle in position, take reasonable steps to protect it from further damage. Set up flares, get the car off the road and call a tow truck if necessary. While your memory is fresh, make notes on the time of the accident, what the weather was like, road conditions, visibility, traffic conditions, and speed of the cars involved, and how the accident happened. Ask the investigating officer where and how you can obtain a copy of the police report.
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INSURANCE
