What to Do When You’ve Been in a Car Collision

You never expect to be in a car collision, but if it happens, you’ll likely be shaky and not thinking straight. Take a deep breath, then follow these steps to make sure you’ve covered all your bases.

First, Stop & Make Sure Everyone’s Okay.

Stop, if you’re still moving, and get your vehicle to the side of the road. Check yourself and the other people involved to make sure there are no injuries. If there are, you should call 911 right away. Even if there aren’t, stay alert to your condition, because symptoms of both physical injuries and shock or PTSD may not show up immediately. When you leave the car, do not get in the way of traffic or stand between cars that are still on the road, even if they’re stopped.

Call the Police

Bring in law enforcement. Regardless of how bad the accident is, bringing in the police will ensure that there’s a record of the incident. This may be important later to yourself, your insurance, or court proceedings (if things go that far). Also, some insurance policies say that police must be contacted within a certain time frame for hit-and- run incidents. If officers aren’t able to come to the scene, file an incident report at a station later.

Check for Car Damage, and Document

As long as you know you’re in a safe place, make a careful and thorough inspection to determine what kind of damage your car has experienced. It may be hard to take in details if you’re rattled, but do your best. Write it down or record it with your camera.

Share Your Information

Exchange your identification and insurance information with both the other party and police. This is an important part of the process, so don’t try to avoid it, even if there are injuries and confusion involved and no visible car damage. There may be hidden issues that crop up later. Do not take blame at the scene, because additional information may change perceptions.

Get Transportation

In some cases, your car will be drivable. In others, you may need anything from flat tires repaired or airbags reset to major bodywork and auto glass repair. If you can’t drive your car, or if you feel that your mindset is not conducive to driving, call a tow truck or automobile club for help. If you need to, set up a breakdown site with emergency cones and hazard lights on.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

Now that the on-the-scene matters have been taken care of, contact your insurance representative. Most policies require you file a claim within a certain time limit. Know your coverage, and your responsibilities. Your insurance agent can guide you through all this.

Find an Auto Body Shop & Get Your Car Fixed as Soon as Possible

You may be tempted to leave your car as-is, if it’s drivable. Don’t wait, however. Not only could it be dangerous if there is unseen damage, you could be exacerbating a problem by creating additional stress in damaged areas. Do your research, and find an auto body shop that you’re comfortable with. You don’t have to go with the insurance company’s recommendation. But you do need to be safe when you’re driving, so move forward with auto collision repairs in a timely fashion.

Hopefully, you’ll never experience a car collision. If you do, however, follow these instructions and you won’t be blindsided by the aftermath of this type of accident.