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Things To Do After a Car Accident

India is infamous for having the most number of road accidents in the whole world. After a car accident, most of us feel shaken and it takes some time to make sense of the situation. Even though car makers have come up with safety technologies that help prevent accidents, they do happen. And it is best that we keep ourselves prepared for such circumstances.

Here we will offer some practical advices on what to do and what not to in case of a vehicle collision.

Emergency Kit A Must in Your Glove Compartment

Yes, we do have rules that prohibit us from using cell phone while driving, but it does not say that you should not carry one. While travelling in your car, always carry a cell phone, pen and paper which will help you take notes. Also carry a card that has the contact details of law authorities. Usually, the other items in your emergency kit should contain a flashlight, reusable camera and accident documentation instructions. Also important are set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares which you can store in your car's trunk.

Keep Safety First

If the accident you are involved in is a minor one, without any serious injuries, try to move the car towards the side of the road and away from the approaching traffic. Abandoning the car in the middle of the traffic will not help your cause and may also result in additional injury and accidents. And if your car gets immobilised after an accident, driver and passengers should stay put inside the car with seatbelts fastened. You can achieve extra safety by turning on the hazard lights, and warning signals if you are carrying them.

Exchange Information

Well, emotions are quite strong after an accident, but try to keep yourself calm. Never forget to exchange information like name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number of the vehicle. And if the driver does not own the vehicle, take the name of the owner of the vehicle. Additionally, make a note of the vehicle, year, make and model, colour and a rough description of the accident. Try to be polite to the driver and the authorities. Finally, don't make the mistake of admitting that the accident was your fault.

Document the Accident

If you are carrying a camera, it can help you document the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident. The pictures, which would clearly show the context of the accident, can come quite handy when you make your insurance claim.

File an Accident Report

After an accident, you should inform the law authorities and also file a vehicle accident report. A police report, in most case, fastens up the claim proceedings with insurance companies. It would also be wise to call your insurance company to report the accident. Yes, you should do it even if the damage seems minor or the other driver wants to settle without making an insurance claim.

Remove Important Things from Your Car

Provided you are in walking condition, don't forget to empty important papers and valuables from your car before it gets towed. Don't forget to remove insurance policy papers, repair reports, receipts, purse, wallet, or music before you leave the keys with the tow operator.

Know Your Insurance Policy Basics

Knowing the details of your insurance policy always helps during accidents. If you know the specifics of your insurance policy, it will be a lot easier for you to make your claim. Also, there is the question of deciding as to who will pay the price of the damage. In case of minor accidents, the two (or more) parties can decide to settle the compensation without the knowledge of the insurance company. But it is suggested that you don't fall for such tricks.

The other driver may consent to pay for the damage of your car on the time of the accident, but he may not do so when the time of payment comes, or may not agree to pay the entire damage cost. And making amends with your insurance company can be difficult after a long time has passed.

There are also possibilities that the other driver would change his mind and report the accident to his insurance provider. In which case, you (and your car) will be in a soup.

What Not To Do After an Accident

While there are a number of dos in case of accidents, there are quite a few don'ts too. Firstly, never admit your fault. If you do, you may not get full compensation from your insurance company. Secondly, don't flee the scene. This is not only illegal but also puts your insurance claim in jeopardy.

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