What To Do After A Car Accident
There are over 6-million car accidents a day in the U.S. According to auto insurance industry experts, the average driver will be in a car accident once every 18 or so years. This means that, over the course of a lifetime, the average motorist will be in about four car accidents.
So, what do you do after an accident?
- Stop: Never drive away from the scene, even if it is a minor one.
- Move your vehicle out of traffic: If you’re able to, you and the other vehicles involved should move out of traffic and move to a safe area where information can be exchanged.
- Call the police: It is always a good idea and practice to call the police, you may need a police report to file a claim with your insurance company.
- Accurate reporting: When the police arrive, they will be taking a statement. Make sure you tell the officers exactly what happened, if you are not able to recall specifics, make sure to communicate that to the officer instead of speculating, guessing or accidentally mistaking any facts.
- Take pictures: If your cell phone has a camera you should take pictures of the vehicles if the damage is visible. If you have visible injuries, you should take a picture of that as well.
- Exchange information: If you do not have the police report to the accident, you should obtain the names, address and phone number of all parties involved in the accident. You should provide and exchange insurance information. If there is a witness, you should obtain their information as well.
- Police report: If police are reporting the accident, the officer will usually provide all drivers with a police report number, where you can use that number later to obtain the police report and sometimes be provided with other parties insurance information. If the accident occurs on a state highway, you must request the report from the state police.
- Insurance: Alert your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Keep a file: You should keep all accident-related documents and information, claim number, claim’s adjuster who is handling the claim, receipts of a rental car and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
Need more tips and info, check out AAA tips and advice. A car accident is a scary thing, but knowing what to do after an accident can be crucial to protecting yourself.
Repairs For Your Vehicle
Planet Ford Collision Center in Spring combines the best body repair equipment and technology with factory-trained, experienced repair professionals who use genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts. Planet Ford is an authorized Ford body repair center where you will receive the quality and finish you expect from the best. We repair all makes and models, work with all insurance companies and offer on-site car rentals.
When You’re In The Market For A New Vehicle
Sometimes accidents leave our vehicles totaled. Losing your car or truck unexpectedly can be upsetting, but knowing who to trust to get you back in something you love is key. Planet Ford in Spring has been the No. 1 Ford Dealer in the greater Houston area for 18 years running.
Family owned by Randall and Sherry Reed, the dealership is conveniently located on I-45 at the Louetta exit in Spring and serves greater Houston, The Woodlands, Cypress, Aldine and Conroe areas. It was established in 1997 and is a Top 100 Ford dealer. Planet Ford is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and currently holds an A+ Rating.
Planet Ford has a BIG Selection and BIG Savings. That is why Mr. Reed has become known as the Big Ford Man in Houston.
Visit Planet Ford today and fall in love with your next car, SUV or truck!