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Staying safe on the road is every driver’s priority. This is why we get our cars repaired the moment we think that a problem exists. It's for the safety of everyone that there are so many laws in place that drivers need to follow. We all love the ability to drive to get where we want to. But we also need to take care of ourselves and other people on the road.

While you may be the most careful driver out there, mistakes happen, and bad drivers can happen too. Automotive accidents are extremely unexpected and can happen to anyone, no matter how careful they are. Car crashes are violent and scary, and if you’re ever in one, you might not know what exactly to do. This is why we’ve prepared an auto accident checklist to help you get through those unexpected accidents.

Our Post-Accident Checklist

Don’t Leave the Scene — If your car is not in a safe place and is drivable, move it somewhere out of danger. Try to keep it nearby the accident scene. Ensuring that you’re somewhere safe is important as well. If you can’t move your car, then leave it where it is. Try to leave your hazard lights on to warn other drivers that they need to slow down upon approach.

Call 911 — If you or somebody else is injured, you should contact the emergency services. If there is property damage involved, getting in touch with the police is a must. If you are unable to make the call, let somebody know that you are injured and need assistance. Calling 911 can be the difference between life and death for yourself or anyone else who is hurt. Even if there is no injury, it’s still a good idea to call 911 to help get the facts straight before insurance companies begin to file cases.

Get Personal & Insurance Information from Other Drivers Involved — When you’ve been in a collision with any other vehicles, ensure that you get the following information:

• Name
• Insurance Info (Carrier, Policy Number, Agent Name, and Phone Number)
• Driver’s Phone Number
• Driver’s E-mail Address
• Make/Model of Car
• License Plate Number
• Driver’s License Number
• Once you’ve gotten that information, it’s best practice to also volunteer your own.

Get Names & Contact Info from Any Witnesses — Getting this information will make it easier to contact any witnesses that were present during the time of the collision. This will help you in helping the insurance companies and authorities to get a clear timeline.

Take Pictures & Videos — If you’re able to, ensure to take pictures and videos of vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, and of the accident scene (If you have to move your vehicle somewhere safe, make sure that you take pictures before you move anything).

Do Not Discuss Responsibility — Under no circumstance should you admit guilt, apologize, give explanations or discuss responsibility for the accident. If somebody wants to bring this topic up, don’t say anything.

Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer — A lawyer can help you understand the legal situation of your collision and help you know what to do next.

File a Claim — As soon as everything at the scene has settled, immediately call your insurance company to begin the claims process. Your insurance card should have a 24-hour phone number to call, so an agent is available to start the process. Your agent will get in touch with you as soon as possible, and they should assist you every step of the way with your claims process.

Get Automotive Repair Services Post-Collision

Hopefully, you don’t ever have to use this checklist, but if you do, you know what to do now. Ensure you have an insurance policy that suits you best and do your best to drive carefully. After the accident, you can worry about getting auto repair services or new tires to help get your car to peak performance. Stay safe out there!