If you’re in a position, take photographs to doc circumstances of the accident.
Your first intuition after a automotive accident could also be to name for assist. Do you could have a plan for what comes subsequent? Being proactive in your response may also help hold you, your passengers and your property secure whereas simplifying the method of submitting an insurance coverage declare.
Guarantee security
- Take into account transferring your automobile onto the shoulder or facet of roadway to stop additional harm.
- Stand a secure distance away from visitors and if autos are severely broken, preserve a distance to keep away from unsafe situations akin to automotive fires or explosions.
- Activate your hazard lights and place security flares or indicators promptly to alert different drivers.
- Contact the police or affirm they’ve been notified in case you are unable to position the decision your self.
- For accidents, contact medical help and await their arrival. Don’t administer first support until certified to take action.
Hold your composure
- Stay calm. Hold a transparent thoughts and focus in your security and gathering related info. If you’re driving a company-owned automobile, observe your organization’s reporting procedures as quickly as doable.
- Be courteous however chorus from accepting duty or apologizing for something. It’s best to talk solely to a police officer when making statements concerning the accident.
- Don’t argue. Conditions can escalate shortly. It’s best to overview circumstances surrounding the accident with a police officer current.
Collect info
- If doable, gather contact info of the responding officer. Make word of their identify, division, badge quantity and the incident report quantity.
- When applicable, request contact info from different concerned insured drivers together with identify, telephone quantity and automobile license plate quantity. If an organization automobile is concerned, report the employer’s identify.
- Present solely the mandatory contact info to others concerned within the accident; first and final identify, telephone quantity and insurance coverage provider ought to suffice. Scammers generally use an auto accident as a method to gather private info for identification theft.
- Acquire any passenger or witness info and request that they continue to be on the website of the accident till police arrive. Passengers and witnesses can typically recount essential particulars or circumstances which will help within the report.
Be aware surrounding circumstances
- Soak up your environment and make notes on your personal future reference. If doable, take a number of photographs to assist your observations. Make a copy of our brochure in your glovebox (PDF 416k) that can assist you report particulars after an accident.
- Be aware contributing elements akin to inclement climate, hazardous street situations, visible obstructions or defective visitors indicators.
- Make word of any noticed accidents for people concerned within the accident and describe extra collateral harm to autos or property.
It’s most useful to report particulars sooner moderately than later. Gathering detailed info following your accident may also help potential investigative wants and supply a transparent and concise description on your agent.
This loss management info is advisory solely. The creator assumes no duty for administration or management of loss management actions. Not all exposures are recognized on this article. Contact your native, unbiased agent for insurance coverage protection recommendation and loss management info. Neither The Cincinnati Insurance coverage Firm nor its associates or representatives supply authorized recommendation. Seek the advice of along with your legal professional about your particular scenario.