You may think you’ll be able to keep a cool head and take care of what you need to when you’ve involved in a car accident, but the stress of the situation can make you forget the steps you’re supposed to take.
So, spend some time reviewing what you should do after an accident so your response will be automatic. The more you prepare, the more you’ll remember.
We’ll share steps to take immediately following an accident and give you an idea about how long an insurance claim takes and how a claim affects you in the long term. So, you’ll find what you need right here, whether you’re gathering information just in case or frantically trying to make sure you have your bases covered.
5 Steps to Take Following an Accident
If you follow these steps, you can be confident that you’ve done the best you can following an undesirable situation.
Step #1 – Assess Your Safety at the Accident Scene
Sometimes, a crash will cause so much adrenaline to be released that you’ll think you’re fine when you’re not. So, stop and take a few slow breaths instead of moving around as if nothing happened. Analyze your condition and that of others in your vehicle.
Start with your head and work your way to your toes, checking for pain, bleeding, or visible injury.
Next, if you’re uninjured, assess the scene. If you’re in a dangerous position and can move your car to a safe place, do so right away.
If you’re blocking the roadway but not in danger, take pictures of the crash scene before moving, but try to stop impeding traffic as soon as possible.
Step #2 – Call Law Enforcement to Document the Crash
If there are injuries, you can expect a rapid response from first responders. However, if there are no injuries, what happens next could vary.
The dispatcher you talk to will let you know if you should expect a law enforcement officer or crash investigator to arrive on the scene. If not, they may instruct you to complete a form in person or online to record the crash.
Even minor fender benders should be called in. A police report helps with insurance, and you may be surprised by how costly seemingly minor damage can be.
Step #3 – Exchange Information with Involved Parties and Witnesses
You’ll need to exchange information with the other party. Make sure to write down the following items:
- Names and phone numbers
- Vehicle description
- License plate number
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance company
- Insurance policy number
You might be surprised by how quickly someone’s story can change, so having reliable witnesses can ensure everyone tells the truth. If your crash had witnesses, write down their names and numbers.
Step #4 – Photograph the Accident Scene and Damage
Things are a lot different now than they were 30 years ago. Then, people didn’t carry around cameras, but now just about everyone has a quality camera on their smartphone. Access to a camera is a power resource following a crash.
When photographing the scene, including pictures from afar, then work your way closer. Make sure that if you take a close-up of the damage, you also include another picture for perspective. It can be impossible to tell where a dent is without being able to see more of the car.
Just as witnesses can help keep a story straight, so can pictures. If someone tries to claim additional damage, your pictures should prove the actual damage.
Step #5 – Contact Your Insurance Provider
You could contact your insurance provider even if the crash wasn’t your fault. If you have full coverage, it’s in their best interest to help you in your pursuit of getting the at-fault party’s insurance to pay for the damage, so your insurer doesn’t have to.
If you live in a no-fault state and are injured in a crash, you’ll need to file a personal injury protection claim with your insurer.
The at-fault party’s insurer should cover your medical costs in a torte state.
The Aftermath of a Car Accident
Once you file an insurance claim, you can expect several things to happen. You’ll probably be provided with a contact with the insurance company that you can call for questions.
An adjuster will likely inspect your car. Alternatively, they may request pictures from you. They’ll be specific with what images they need, and you can follow their instructions to ensure you do it right.
How long does an insurance claim take to process?
The insurance claim may take one to two months to process in a straightforward case with no injuries.
You shouldn’t reach a settlement if there are injuries until you know what your long-term medical treatments entail.
App developers continually improve and upgrade car insurance company apps, and if you haven’t downloaded your insurance app, you should do it now so that you can follow the progress of your claim.
Do you have any say in the settlement?
You do have a say in the settlement. For example, if you disagree with the value placed on your vehicle following a total loss, you can challenge it. Start with proving your car’s pre-crash condition. Often, the insurer will label everything as average. If your car was in excellent condition, you can argue for a higher valuation.
If there are injuries involved, you can fight for adequate settlement payments. If there will be long-term medical issues, you should hire an attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
How does a crash affect your insurance rates?
A crash does not look good on your record, especially if you were at fault. You can expect to pay higher insurance rates for at least three years following an at-fault crash.
Some insurance companies penalize customers more for their driving history than others. So, if your rates increase dramatically, you might want to compare rates from other insurers to see if you can find a better one.
If you have two or more crashes within a short period, your insurance provider may drop your coverage, in which case you’ll need to try to find another provider that will insure you.
A car crash can be scary and stressful, but if you take the right immediate steps, you’ll have far less stress to deal with later. Follow the steps above to ensure you don’t miss anything following a crash.
Melanie Musson writes and researches for the car insurance site, CarInsuranceComparison.com. She loves helping others find the best insurance policy for their needs so they can enjoy peace of mind knowing they have the right coverage for the right price.
