Accidents happen all the time.
No one ever plans to be in a car crash, but it’s important to be prepared if you do get in an accident.
After an accident, your first thought is often to make sure everyone is safe, but what do you do after that? It can be disorienting and overwhelming, which is why it’s important to know what steps to take after a car accident before you’re ever in that situation.
Whether you’ve been in an accident before or not, it’s best to be prepared. You can never be too prepared when it comes to your safety and the safety of others.
It’s also essential to make sure that you have the right auto insurance coverage for you. Knowing that you’re covered in an accident can relieve financial stress surrounding the situation.
Here are eight steps you should take after a vehicle collision.
Check for any injuries.
Safety is your number one priority.
First, check yourself for any injuries. Once you’ve made sure that you’re okay, check on any passengers in the car.
If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately for medical assistance.
Move to safety.
Suppose minor injuries were sustained in the incident and your vehicle is still driveable. In that case, you should move to a place of safety, especially if the car accident is holding up traffic, in the middle of an intersection, or on a busy street or highway.
Either move to the side of the road or pull into a nearby parking lot depending on what is easiest for you and the other vehicle(s) involved. If anyone has major injuries or the accident is severe, leave your vehicles where they are.
Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, be careful when stepping out of your car. You may not realize you are injured or may be dizzy from the accident.
It’s also important to remember to turn your hazard lights to make you and your car more visible to other drivers on the road.
If you haven’t already, call 911.
Your next step should be to call 911 if you haven’t already.
After an accident in Oklahoma, you are legally required to contact the police before leaving the scene of the accident if there were serious injuries or damages to any vehicles or property.
When the police arrive, an officer will fill out a collision report. Sometimes police do not reply to minor accidents, but in some cities, you can request a report online. You can also go to the nearest police station to complete a report.
It’s important to take note of the police officer’s name, badge number, and contact information. When you file a claim, your insurer may request a copy of the police report to support your claim.
Take pictures of the accident.
While an officer files a report, it’s also important that you take note of the details of the accident.
Take pictures of:
- The internal and external damages of your vehicle
- Placement of the two vehicles when the collision occurred
- Any injuries you or passengers sustained from the accident
It’s also important to take note of nearby traffic signs. Also, if there are people who witnessed the accident, you should take down their contact information.
Take more pictures than you need. You can never be overly prepared. Also, make sure the timestamps on your photos are correct.
When you take pictures, it’s helpful for your insurance company to take note of the damages and who was at fault. It also helps you if the other person involved in the accident claims you were at fault when you weren’t.
Exchange contact information.
The next step you can take is to exchange contact and insurance information with everyone involved in the accident.
Here is a list of information you should exchange:
- Full name
- Contact information
- Driver’s license and license plate number
- Vehicle information (make, color, and model)
- Insurance company and policyholder
Contact your insurer.
One of the most common myths is that you don’t need to contact your insurance company if you are not at fault.
No matter who was at fault, you should always contact your insurance company after an accident. This is because your insurer may have policies that will benefit you after an accident. Still, you cannot use these benefits unless you contact your insurer to ask about your coverage options.
For example, your insurer may offer collision, towing, and medical expenses insurance coverage.
Your insurance company will also walk alongside you during the claim process and know what information you need. This process can be confusing, so it’s nice to have experts who know what they’re doing and want what’s best for you.
Once you send all of your information to your insurance company, they will be able to help you if the other person in the car accident claims that you were at fault when you weren’t.
How MWI Insurance Brokers Can Help
MWI Insurance Brokers is here to help you.
While we hope you never get into an accident, it’s always best to be prepared with the best, affordable insurance coverage for you.
Finding the right auto insurance coverage can seem challenging and overwhelming at times, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here at MWI Insurance Brokers, our team is equipped and ready to help you choose the best auto insurance coverage for you.
Request a quote today, and our team will help you find the insurance that best suits your needs while making sure it’s affordable.