How to handle a car accident

How to handle a car accident...

4/23/2018

The average American will have 3 or 4 auto accidents in his or her lifetime!

In 2015 alone, more than 2.4 million people were injured and nearly 35,000 people died in 6.2 million crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The good news? Most car collisions aren’t deadly.

Check out some car accident statistics from DriverKnowledge.com:

About 9 people are killed each day as a result of distracted driving.
You are 23 times as likely to crash if you text while driving.
1 out of 3 people texts while driving.
Wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of death by 45%.
1 in 7 people do not wear a seat belt while driving.
People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from the vehicle during a crash.

What to do after a Car accident

Safety First. Stay calm. Take a deep breath, check for injuries and call for emergency help if necessary.
If the accident is minor, and it will not put anyone in jeopardy to do so, move the cars involved in the accident to a safe place.
Shift car into park, turn off your vehicle and turn on the hazard lights.
CALL THE POLICE. Even if your accident is minor, and even if the other party tries to persuade you to just “handle it among yourselves,” DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.
Gather information:
---Make notes about the accident,
---Names and contact information, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions,
---Insurance companies and policy numbers,
---Witnesses names and contact information,
---Accident scene location,
---Police officer’s name and badge number.
Take photos of the scene, including photos of the damage to all vehicles.
Contact your insurance company after your accident and file a claim.
Notify your insurance agent quickly.

What NOT to do after a Car accident

Never leave the scene of the accident.
Never admit responsibility for the accident.
Never sign any documents unless it’s for the police or your insurance agent.
Never agree to allow the insurance company to record your conversation without speaking to an attorney first.
Never discuss your accident on social media.

Having an auto accident or dealing with a catastrophe is stressful, but it’s important to stay calm and focused. The right steps will help keep you safe and prevent further stress.

You never have to manage a car accident alone. We are here to help you every step of the way. During business hours, contact us as soon as possible at 201-796-1881. We are always ready and willing to assist you.

Happy Spring and safe driving.

8 Comments

Riley Ann link

11/13/2018 05:24:21 am

I agree that distracted diving is solely responsible for any kinds of accidents. However, mechanical issues associated with the vehicle are also responsible for certain kinds of accidents. So, the condition of different components of the vehicle should be inspected regularly to identify and fix mechanical issues associated with the vehicle. The braking system of the vehicle reduces the speed of the vehicle and enable the drivers to get better control over the vehicle. So, suitable initiatives should be taken to enhance the efficiency of the braking system.

Ellie Davis link

1/30/2019 08:11:45 pm

Thank you for these suggestions on handling a car accident. I was just in a car accident. I'll have to look into finding the best attorney in my area.

Brenda link

2/17/2019 10:19:06 am

Wow, I never was aware of all the things you listed on "what not to do" after an accident. Thankfully I haven't been in one but it's very important to be aware of the things I should know. I can see how getting a lawyer is very helpful and definitely should keep in mind that it's important to get a very good one.

Broderick Hart link

2/21/2019 07:35:07 am

No matter, how experienced the driver is or how careful he thinks he is, he can get into an accident anytime. The risk is higher when you are new at driving. When something like accident happens, you need to stay calm. Then move the car to the side of the road in order to get your vehicle out of traffic. Obviously, the car will get damaged, when you face an accident. Don't need to bother. Claim your insurance and do servicing at an authorized service center, by which you can save your wallet from draining.

Kaitlyn Kristy link

2/22/2019 08:34:29 am

Car accidents are unavoidable even if we drive our car carefully. Whenever a car accident happens, we shouldn't be nervous. We should stay calm. We must move to a safe area. Thereafter we should turn off the vehicle and turn on the hazard lights. Then we should call the police even if the accident is minor. We should also gather information about the accident, document the scene and file an insurance claim. We should never admit responsibility for the accident and never sign any document unless it is for the police or the insurance agent. By following this procedure we can handle the car accident very well.

Bree Ward link

3/12/2019 07:47:48 pm

Wow, I'm just blown away when you said that Americans will have 3 or 4 car accidents in their lifetime. I just bought my first car last week, and I'm a bit anxious now about the reality of unexpected accidents. It's a good thing that you enumerated ways on how to handle a car accident. In the event that this happens to me in the future, I will never leave the scene until rescuers of police officers arrive. And if ever that my car is damaged, I'll make sure to call the insurance company and find the best car repair service in the area.

Sandra Patterson link

4/15/2019 05:38:14 pm

I have a friend that is a stressful person to drive with, especially because he will text and drive on the freeway all the time. I guess that makes him a part of the statistic that you gave that says that 1 in 3 people will text and drive. Safety should be the most important thing on the road, so I will be sure to have him not text and drive when I am in the car with him.

Sam Li link

5/17/2019 01:48:16 pm

I agree with what you said about staying calm after a car accident. I believe that finding an accident attorney is essential after a car wreck. My best friend is on the road quite often, so I'll make sure to find an attorney for him in the event that he gets hurt due to the negligence of someone else.