Auto Insurance USAA: Know What to Do in an Accident
Automobile accidents happen. Nearly 34 million a year, according to the National Safety Council. In fact, one of eight licensed drivers are involved in an accident each year and that includes many safe, skilled drivers. So always be prepared.
The first thing to do is keep cool, calm and collected, no matter what the circumstances are. Never apologize, never admit guilt and never blame the other driver. Keep your stress level as low as possible and stay on purpose.
Immediately stop your vehicle and pull over to a safe spot at the side of the road, if possible. Never leave the scene of an accident. It is against the law and could warant your arrest. If necessary, call a towing company to move you car. Be sure to get the name, address and number of the tower befor they pull away.
Check everyone involved for injuries and, if necessary, call 911 for help. If you and your passengers can walk, get out of the traffic flow and to the side of the road as quickly as possible.
Now it’s time to start collecting information. Exchange names, addresses and phone numbers with everyone involved. Get the year, make, model, license number, insurance company and policy number for each car involved. And, if possible, get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Call the police for help, especially if it’s a hit and run, if there are injuries or if it’s not clear who is at fault. When police arrive, make sure you get the officer’s name, number and police report number.
Be sure not to admit fault to the police. Just give the details to and answer the questions of the police from your point of view as clearly and as cooperatively as possible.
And, if you have a camera or a cell phone with a photo option, take pictures of the accident scene, damage to all vehicles and all the people involved.
Then report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you can. If you follow these tips, the aftermath of your accident will go much smoother.