If you have been involved in a car accident, there are some important steps that needs to be taken afterwards.
These steps are important to help your compensation claim and also to have as evidence to help strengthen your case as well as document any injuries that you might have sustained from the accident.
You can also find accident lawyers to help you with your claims if you have been in an accident.
Steps You Need To Take After You Have Been Involved In a Car Accident
There are certain things that need to be done according to the book and the steps you need to take after a car accident is one of them.
Read further to find the steps you need to take after you have been involved in a car accident.
Check the area of the accident scene
Once you have realised that you have been involved in an accident and checked your injuries, you can check the accident scene to check if anyone else involved in the accident might need any medical assistance.
You can also check that the area you are in is safe enough to wait for medical assistance to arrive, this means checking that the car isn’t going to burst into flames anytime soon while you and the other involved parties are close to it.
Also make sure to switch any engines that are still running off. Report the accident to the police so that they can be present at the accident scene.
Collect personal information
Collecting personal information from all the parties involved and giving them your personal information is the next step. This ensures that all parties are part of the full investigation and will be kept in the loop of the outcome.
These are the details that should be exchanged:
- Full name and address
- ID number
- Email Address
- Cell Phone number
- Drivers licence number
- Registration number
- Insurance details which includes the name of your insurer and your policy number
You can also take photos of the accident scene on your phone to keep and share as evidence of what has happened.
Speaking to witnesses as well, this can help you figure out what people saw and how to piece together the events that have happened during the accident. Get their contact details as well so that they can help with the investigation.
Assess your vehicle damage
You need to check how much damage to your vehicle before leaving the accident scene. Calling a tow truck will be necessary if you need your vehicle towed from the accident scene should the damage be major.
If you are able to drive it off then that would be possible after the police had been on the scene.
Call your insurer
You need to call your insurer after you have exchanged details with the other drivers/individuals that were involved in the accident.
This will help get you through the process of dealing with the accident. Whether there were serious injuries or only minor ones, it’s best to inform your insurance as soon as it happened in case the other parties involved decide to put in a compensation claim after they have assessed their own injuries.
Get hold of an accident claim lawyer
After reporting the car accident to your insurer and having all your evidence gathered you can reach out to an accident claim lawyer to help you make your compensation claim to the other party’s insurance claim.
This will also help you be able to assess what type of compensation you might be eligible for.
- Loss of earnings
- Medical and rehab and recovery costs
- Replacement or any repairs needed for the property that has been damaged in the accident.
Make a claim
After experiencing damage to your vehicle, it is crucial to initiate the process of making a claim with your insurance company. This step ensures that your insurer will cover the expenses associated with repairing the damages, provided the repairs are carried out at an approved panel shop. Making a claim involves a few important steps that must be followed diligently to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.
Assess the Damages: Before proceeding with the claim process, carefully assess the extent of the damages to your vehicle. Document the damage by taking clear photographs from different angles. This evidence will be valuable when filing your claim and can support your case with the insurance company.
Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident. Provide them with accurate details regarding the damages and any other relevant information they may require. Prompt communication with your insurer is vital for a smooth and efficient claim process.
Obtain Multiple Repair Quotes: In some cases, if the damages are minor, your insurer may require you to gather at least three repair quotes. This helps them evaluate the cost of repairs and determine the appropriate coverage. Ensure that you obtain quotes from reputable repair shops that are approved by your insurance company.
Submit the Claim: Once you have gathered all the necessary information, including photographs and repair quotes, submit your claim to your insurance company. Follow their specific procedures for claim submission and provide all requested documentation accurately and promptly. Be prepared to answer any additional questions or provide further information if required.
Await Confirmation and Authorization: After submitting your claim, your insurance company will review the provided information and assess the validity of your claim. Once approved, they will provide authorization for repairs to begin at an approved panel shop. It is important to wait for this authorization before proceeding with any repairs to ensure your expenses will be covered by your insurance.
Conclusion
Accidents can happen at any time so it’s not one of those events that you usually prepare for.
However, these steps above can be used as a guideline to ensure that you do all the necessary things that you will need later on when you claim from your insurer and if you get sued for compensation claims.
It is also important to not take any responsibility for the accident after you have been involved after the investigation.
