There are many ways to avoid a car accident, but once one happens, it is important to know what to do and what questions may need to be answered by the other person involved to make your insurance claim. This checklist will help you know what to do after a car accident. It is best to review it now and then print it out and keep a copy with you in your car (or bookmark this article on your phone) so that you can access it in an accident.
Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries
Check to see if anyone needs urgent medical care. If you can, try not to move the vehicles unless they are causing a major problem with traffic. If possible, wait for the police before moving anything.
Contact the Police
Even in a minor accident, it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report.
Limit Your Conversation about the Accident with the Other Party
It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should only talk about the accident with the police, medical professionals, and your insurance representative.
Get the Facts of Your Car Accident
Getting the facts of an accident is the part most people know but often forget due to the stress of being in a car accident.
It is important to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. A description of the car and license plate number can also be helpful, but make sure you also get their insurance company and their car’s vehicle identification number. Don’t assume the license plate number will do because most insurance companies only record the type of car and the vehicle identification number, not the license plate number. Here is a complete list of how to collect this information for you in the 5 sections below.
Car Accident Information Checklist
Here’s the information you will need to file a proper insurance claim:
- Information about what happened
- Information about the driver
- Information for insurance