Car Accident Tips
Avoiding Car Accidents
Each year, more and more accidents are being recorded due to car accidents. There are different factors that determine why accidents occur.
Experiencing being in a car accident can be very stressful, it would be very hard for you to process what is going on since you’re in an accident.
What should be the best things to do if you’re caught up in this kind of accident? How to deal with the aftermath brought about by the incident?
Car accidents are brought about by different determining factors. Some of which are driver behavior, speed choice, driver impairment, road design and vehicle design and maintenance. A 1985 study by K. Rumar, using British and American crash reports as data, found that 57% of crashes were due solely to driver factors, 27% to combined roadway and driver factors, 6% to combined vehicle and driver factors, 3% solely to roadway factors, 3% to combined roadway, driver, and vehicle factors, 2% solely to vehicle factors and 1% to combined roadway and vehicle factors.
So what do you do if you’re involved in a traffic collision? These steps are among the best ways on how to deal with the scenario:
- Have an Emergency Kit All the Time Drivers should always bring with them a cell phone, but be sure that when you bring your cell phone try not to use them while driving, also bring with you a pen and paper for taking notes, a camera to take photos of the cars within the scene and medical information books for special cases that requires special attention. Also, you must have with you a list of contacts regarding the law enforcement agencies.
- Safety First Drivers that didn’t have any serious injuries should move their cars to the side to avoid further traffic. Having to leave the cars stuck in the middle of the road or intersection can cause additional accidents. If a car couldn’t be moved, drivers and also passengers should remain in their own respective cars with seatbelts fastened until help arrives.
- Exchange Contact Information Exchange the following information after the accident: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each car that was involved. If the driver’s name is not the one that is written as the name of the insured, establish what their relationship is and take down both the names and the address of the individuals. Write also the description of each car, model, color and the exact location of the collision and how It happened. If you think it was your fault, be polite and don’t tell the drivers or the police. Also, do take photographs of the events to document the damages on the vehicles.
- File a Report A police report most often helps insurance companies speed out the claiming process.
- Know the Coverage of Your Auto Insurance It would be easier with the whole insurance process if you know the details of your coverage. You should check your policy for specifics.
What do you do if you’re in an accident?
- First of all, stay calm. Keep a normal demeanor; it would help you stay in control of the situation.
- Make sure everybody with you is okay Check first everybody in your car if you are with a group or with someone, move as far off the roadway as possible, but you should still stay at the scene of the accident. You should warn oncoming traffic by putting your hazard lights on or setting flares.
Report to the Police
Contact 911 or any appropriate emergency number to help you with the accident.
- Contact Your Car Insurance Company The earlier your insurance company is informed about the accident, the earlier they can start working to resolve your claim.
- Don’t Admit You Caused It Do not discuss the car accident with anyone else other than the police and your claims representative.
- Exchange Contact Information with Other Drivers Involved If you’re the one who caused the scene, get the personal information of the drivers involved, even the witnesses and especially those involved who weren’t riding in a vehicle but was involved in the accident. Ask also for the insurance company and policy number for the drivers involved.