At the Scene: What You Need to Do After a Collision
You’re involved in a car accident. What do you do? Most people know to collect the other person’s insurance information and make sure that no one is seriously injured, but there are other things that you must do that are just as important.
Stop
It seems like common sense, but it’s actually common for people to freak out after an accident and leave the scene. This is a huge mistake. If you’re involved in a collision, you must stop and wait for the police to arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident could cost you your license – even jail time.
Call Emergency Services
You can’t assume that, just because someone looks or feels OK, that there aren’t underlying problems caused by the accident. An injury may become apparent after a day or two – especially bruising. Call 9-1-1 if anyone is seriously injured immediately after the accident and needs emergency care. Emergency services should also be called if you suspect the other driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Safety first. Remember that. Don’t move anyone who is injured, as you may end up doing more damage or aggravate their injuries. Depending on your coverage, your auto insurance company may send a tow truck if your vehicle cannot be driven away safety from the accident. Do not attempt to drive a vehicle that is leaking fluids or that cannot be driven normally. Not only is this unsafe, it may reduce the compensation you get from the insurance company.
For example, let’s say you’re involved in a car accident. Your vehicle seems to be working fine, except that it’s leaking some type of fluid. Rather than pay for a tow truck, you decide to drive your vehicle to the nearest shop. It’s not that far, so you think you should be safe. However, on the way to the shop, your vehicle breaks down again – the liquid was engine coolant, and has been leaking from your radiator the entire time.
By driving it after the accident, you’ve permanently damaged the engine. The insurer refuses to pay or the engine damage, but will fix the rest of the vehicle. Had you waited for the tow truck, you could have had all of the damage repaired.
Finally, never stand between two vehicles or behind the vehicle to check out the damage – especially if you’re on a highway or a busy road. You may end up putting yourself into more danger that way.
File a Report With Police
You should always call the police to file a report if anyone is injured, if the other driver doesn’t have a driver’s license or insurance, if one or more of the vehicles is undrivable, if the total damage to all vehicles or property seems to be more than $2,000, or if the other driver appears to be unable to make the report.
Auto wreckers cannot destroy a vehicle that has more than $2,000 worth of damage, and repair shops cannot fix accident-related damage of more than $2,000, without a police-issued damage sticker.
Exchange Information
Your contact and insurance information should be exchanged with everyone involved in the accident. Take plenty of pictures and make sure to document as many details related to the incident as possible.
George Nesler is a retired driving instructor of many years. He now spends his time working on his antique cars and blogging online.
