What to Do After A Car Accident
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What to do After a Car Accident?

What Steps to Take After an Accident

Here are some key things to know in the event of an automobile accident.

  • If you find yourself in an accident, it is your legal responsibility to stop. Even if the damage is minimal, or you feel there is no damage at all, when your car comes into contact with anything, you have to stop the car.
  • In the event of an accident, it is important to remember that you should never admit your responsibility to the accident. The reason for this is, you are signed in a contract with your insurance company. The policy states that you are not to take liability in an accident. Let your insurance company do all the talking.

The Scene of the Accident

It is important to know what to do after a car accident. While many accidents are avoidable, they do still happen. When one does happen, you need to know what you should do and what questions to ask for your claim. There is a helpful checklist to educate you on the steps to take after an accident. Review it thoroughly, and even print out a copy for yourself. Keep it accessible, just in case.

Figure out Damages and Injuries

The first thing to do after an accident is to assess injury to yourself and other parties involved. Make sure not to move your vehicles unless you have to, but always wait for the police before moving your car.

Police Must Be Contacted

Even if the accident is only a minor one, you should always have a legal accident report filled out.

Be Selective On Who You Talk To

When an accident occurs, you should only talk to certain people about it. You don’t want to admit any fault to the accident, so talk only to the law enforcement, insurance company, and medical professionals.

Facts are Important

While this part is common knowledge, it is easy to forget to get important details after an accident.

Make sure you exchange names, numbers, and addresses with everyone that was directly involved. Remember, most insurance companies do not keep records of license plate numbers, so make sure to get the VIN and vehicle description of all cars in the accident. Below is a list that explains how to take down this information in just a few seconds.

Information Checklist in Case of an Accident

Here is a checklist that you can follow to remind you of what information to take down:

  • Description of the Accident
  • Driver Information
  • Insurance Information
  • Vehicle Description & VIN

Below are more detail of what you should collect in the event of an accident.

Accident Form

You can be especially prepared if you get an accident form that collects the information when the car accident happens. You can get these forms from a police station or the local DMV.

These forms are insanely helpful, and every state uses a different form. Because accidents can be overwhelming, it is easy to panic or forgets steps you should take if one happens.

Driver Information to Collect After a Collision

  • Contact information, including their phone number.
  • The Driver’s Address
  • The Name of the Driver

Insurance Company Information to Collect

The proof of insurance card of you and the other driver should have all the information you need to know. The vital information needed involving insurance companies are:

  • Name of the Insurance Company
  • The Insurance Policy Number

Information About the Car Involved

  • The License Plate
  • The VIN
  • Description of the Vehicle; Make, Year, Model
  • Pictures for personal documentation

 

Information About The Accident to Collect

  • Approximate Address of Accident
  • Nearest and/or Current Road
  • Time and Date of Accident
  • Which Direction you were traveling
  • The Other Car’s Direction
  • Photos of Damage and Scene
  • Details of What Happened (Make sure you do this as soon as you can, so details of the accident aren’t lost. A video, written statement, or verbal account to a police officer is sufficient enough to document the details of what transpired.)
  • Notes that Involve the Driving Conditions
  • Any Information that Involves Witnesses
  • The Contact and Identification information of the Police Officer who Shows Up.

 

Should a Mobile Phone be Used to Take Photos at the Scene of the Accident?

Cell phones are everywhere nowadays, and most mobile devices have cameras and/or recording devices. Most of the time, when you submit a claim, you are given the ability to provide pictures of the accident and damages. This is a smart thing to do, seeing as how you will reveal a lot about the accident by the pictures you take of the scene and damage.

While your information is important to the other driver, you should only give the information needed for the claim. They do not need a picture of your driver’s license. They only need your name, phone number, and address.

Helpful Tip: What you SHOULDN’T include in your report.

Never discuss the fault with the other driver and party involved. Their concern is not how you feel or what you did during or before the accident. Even if you feel you are in the wrong, do not accept responsibility.

Contact The Insurance Company

Using your emergency claim number, mobile app, or mobile website, contact your agent and report the accident immediately. Calling from the scene is very useful. In the event of police involvement, sometimes they can shed some light on the insurance company about what has transpired.

Filing Your Accident Claim

It is important to know what to do after a car accident, and filing a claim is something you need to know how to do. Make sure you use the number for accident claims, and the agent will be able to walk you through filing the claim for the accident. Sometimes, a mobile app or website can help you start the claim with easy steps to get the ball rolling faster.

Your responsibility after an accident is not to divulge in conversation; it is to collect the facts of the situation and not be involved any further. Do not commit to handling the matter yourself, and never admit fault to the other party, police, or insurance company. Collect the information you need and handle it properly. In many states, it is important to know, it is required by law that you report any accident you see or are involved in. Your insurance commissioner/representative can provide you with specific state laws.

 

Someone Hit My Parked Car and Drove Off
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Someone Hit My Car, Whose Insurance Do I Call?

When you are involved in a car accident, or someone hits your car and drives off, you experience a level of stress that you aren’t accustomed to. So, in order to ensure that this process proceeds smoothly, you should be prepared and thorough with the details in the report. In the event of your car being hit, you may not know whose insurance you should make a call to. You might not even know what details to take down. So within this article, we will discuss the things you should know about what to do at the scene of an accident.

 

Checklist: What To Do After a Car Accident [Infographic]

 

Make a Call To Your Insurance Provider

“Someone hit my car, whose insurance do I call?” In the event of an accident, which you are certain isn’t your fault, you should always contact your insurance company first, even in a hit and run. While the fear of increased rates is a real thing, you mustn’t let it compel you not to reach out. However, there are many states that make it prohibited to increase rates due to an accident you aren’t at fault of.

It is a show of good faith, and helpful in the future, to contact your insurance provider in the event of a car accident or collision. Even if the other driver insists it isn’t their fault, always make a claim. Whether or not you believe you are at fault, make sure that you report any accident you are involved in your insurer.

Depending on what coverage you have, it is typically the responsibility of your insurance provider to cover the immediate costs of any hit & run or accident. With insurance that covers collisions, a claim is a step closer to getting repairs/replacement. Your insurance should cover the costs, aside from the deductible and associated costs.

After another driver contacts their insurance providers, in the event of an accident, the insurance companies work together to determine who is at fault. If you are found to not be at fault, your provider will work to recover any costs that they or you had to pay due to the accident.

There is, however, some work you should handle before this process can transpire.

 

Take Important Information at the Accident Scene

There are instances, even when you are not at fault, that insurances can sometimes show an at-fault report in certain systems. If you find yourself in this position, you could be called on to provide documentation that supports your claim of not being at fault. Doing so can have this removed from records, such as MVR. It is because of this why you should collect all the details and pictures necessary and relevant to the accident, regardless of what you perceive is at fault.

If you find yourself involved in an accident with another driver, make sure that you contact the police and tell them that you were involved in an accident. This is especially important if there is severe damage or any kind of injury.

However, the severity of the accident, a third party collecting information from all witnesses and parties involved, is vital to determining fault in an accident. Make sure that you obtain a copy of a police report, or the number relevant to the report, for your insurance company. Many states, like Missouri, require by law that you report any accident that involves $500 or more in property damage, bodily injury, or death.

Whether or not you involve the police in a car accident, you need to collect some vital information for yourself, such as:

  • The Contact Information of the Other Driver Involved
  • Name and Address of Other Driver
  • License Information of Other Driver
  • Policy & Insurance Company Information from Other Driver
  • Pictures of Scene and Damage
  • Witness Statements and Contact Info

You will find that insurance companies usually have a checklist and apps you can utilize at the scene to document and preserve any and all details that pertain to the accident. It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company, and when you do, make sure to report the insurance information of the other driver. If the other driver doesn’t report to their insurance company, providing the information to your company will ensure that the matter is properly handled.

You will be back on the road in no time, with the information in the hands of your insurance provider. So make sure that you collect all the proper information. You should never have to ask yourself, “Someone hit my car, whose insurance do I call?”

someone hit my car whose insurance do i call
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Someone Hit My Parked Car and Left, Now What?

You and a friend are enjoying a nice evening shopping, things are great, and you’re enjoying yourself. You get out to the parking garage only to find a tragedy that leaves you asking, “Someone hit my parked car and left, what do I do?” So we have compiled information and tips for you to follow if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident.

 

Checklist: What To Do After a Car Accident [Infographic]

 

What is a Hit-and-Run?

It is considered a hit-and-run when someone collides with your car, parked or in motion, and flees the scene without leaving information. It is a legal obligation to fulfill certain duties when you collide with another vehicle — for example, writing a note with contact information and insurance information. The driver who hit your car is required to find out who you are or make contact with you in the event of an accident. But what do you do when someone hits your car and flees?

 

What To Do At The Scene

Protect your rights and make sure the evidence stays preserved; with these steps, you can do just that:

 

  1. Do Not Leave The Scene

While you may be tempted to follow the person who hit you, you shouldn’t leave the scene of the accident until the police have been informed and a report is made. Make sure you gather all the information at the scene of the crime and preserve the evidence the best you can.

 

  1. Gather Witnesses

Gather the information of any and all witnesses to the accident that you can.

 

  1. Contact The Police

While only some states require by law that you report any accident, it is advised that this is always done. Even if a note is left, a police accident report should be filed for insurance purposes. Also, the report will document the evidence at the scene.

 

  1. Document Location & Time

Make sure you document the time and location of the collision.

 

  1. Take A Lot of Photos

Make sure you take plenty of photographs that show not only the scene of the accident but any damage or evidence of it as well. If you have a paint mark from the other car involved, make sure you get a close up picture of it.

 

  1. File an Insurance Claim

If you want to expedite the claim process, make sure you reach out to your insurer immediately after the accident. The sooner, the better. Be prepared with all the information you can get, and the agent will tell you what information you need to file a claim.

 

Filing an Insurance Claim for a Hit-And-Run

If you can locate the person and gather their information, you can make a third-party claim through their insurance provider to cover the damages for repairs. However, if finding a person is impossible, you have to file the claim with your insurance company. If you have the uninsured motorist coverage, it will compensate you for accidents that are considered hit-and-run. Not all states require this coverage, so it is considered optional in many states. Make sure to discuss with your insurance company what your policy covers, and learn about what will cover a hit-and-run accident.

While no one wants to make the statement, ‘Someone hit my parked car and left, and I don’t know what to do.’ Always consult with a lawyer, even if it is a hit-and-run. Proper procedures allow you to recover any damages. An expert automobile accident attorney can guide you through the process of making a claim, increasing how much you will be given for your repairs or replacement car.

 

What to do when Someone Hits Your Parked Car
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What To Do When Someone Hits Your Parked Car?

Accidents happen every day, and sometimes you don’t even have to be driving for one to happen. You need to know what to do when someone hits your parked car. For starters, you should call the police. The local police department will come out and start an accident report. After that, you should start the process of making a claim with your insurance agent. If you have the right coverage, damages could be covered by your insurance.

 

Checklist: What To Do After a Car Accident [Infographic]

 

What To Do At The Scene

There are a few steps that you should follow if you find that your parked car was involved in a collision:

  • Contact the Police- Contacting the police should always be your first priority if someone hits your car, parked, or moving. The reason being is because you can have an accident report made up to show your insurance company during the claim process. Make sure you get the badge number, name, and a copy of the report from the assisting officer.
  • Gather the Details of the Accident- You need to gather all the information that you can, documenting damages using pictures or videos. Make sure to also take pictures of the scene and location of the accident, even the tire marks and debris. When documenting the details, make sure that the location, weather, and time of day are recorded as well.
  • Contact Your Insurance Company- You need to contact your insurance company/agent as soon as you can after the accident. That way, the details are still fresh in your mind. Your insurance agent will guide you through the process of filing a claim, informing you of the details you will need. Many insurance companies will provide an application that allows you to make a claim and share photos of the accident with your agent. If it a business vehicle, you would have to contact the insurance company of the business.

In the event of the driver who collided with your vehicle leaving a note for you, make sure you share it with the police and your insurance. Most of the time, your insurance agent will work with the insurance of the other driver to settle the claim the right way.

 

HIT-AND-RUN Situations

If your parked car was struck and the one who hit it has fled the scene without leaving any information, the police could classify it as a hit-and-run. If this is the case, the other driver will likely be considered uninsured.

States have varying penalties in the case of a hit-and-run, depending on the damage and/or injury involved with the accident. Many states will classify a hit-and-run as a felony if the damage is severe enough or there was a physical injury involved. Other states, however, do not require bodily injury to make it a felony.

 

Will Insurance Cover My Parked Car Being Hit?

This question is best answered based on your coverage. The following coverages can be purchased to offer protection for your car if it is struck while parked:

  • Uninsured Coverage for Motorist Property- This coverage will help pay for the repairs needed after your car is struck by another driver who has left the scene or is uninsured. This coverage isn’t available in all states, and when it is, it is usually an optional coverage.
  • Collision Coverage- This coverage will normally be used to replace or repair your car if it involved in a collision. It doesn’t matter who is at fault; you will be covered. If the other driver has left, you can possibly file the claim under your insurance policy.

Both of these coverages, you might be required to pay a deductible prior to your insurance company’s part in paying for the damages. Based on your coverage and policy limits, you will have the maximum amount that your insurance company will spend on a claim that is covered.

While it is a stressful situation, you need to know what to do when someone hits your parked car. Having the right coverage with your auto insurance company can help make some of these stressful moments less upsetting. Avoid making a situation worse without the right coverage, contact a local insurance agent to find out your coverage options that are specific to your area.

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