You probably have more than enough on your mind if you’ve just been in a car accident, and it’s not always easy to know exactly what you can claim for – and even how to make the claim. What you do at the scene and immediately after the accident will actually have a lot to say about whether or not you’re entitled to compensation.
Here is a quick and easy guide to what you should do right after the accidents as well as how you make the claim.
Right after the accident: What to do
As long as nobody is seriously injured, you need to get in touch with the other driver as soon as you can after the accident. Exchange names and details with each other, and make sure that you don’t admit any fault at the scene.
It’s also important to get the details of any witnesses around the scene as these may be able to help you out once it’s time to make the claim for compensation.
If the other driver refuses to give his or her details to you, the insurer may be able to trace them as long as you make a not of their registration number, by the way, so make sure that you have this as well. Give your insurer a call straight away, and let them know about the accident – even if you’re not planning on making a claim.
Another important point to this is that you should take photographs of the injuries on your vehicle as these will be great as evidence in case you do make a claim later on. Take the pictures nonetheless and have them as a backup.
How do I make the claim?
How you proceed with getting the car accident compensation depends on what kind of insurance you have. With a comprehensive insurance, you should claim from your own insurer – get a form from your insurer or write to the other driver with the details of the accident.
With a third-party insurer, you should make a claim against the other driver and allow the insurance company to decide who is in fault of the accident.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to use a credit hire company instead of your own insurance company. They will pay for the cost of getting a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired as well as the costs of the repairs, and simply claims these costs of the other driver who was in fault of the accident.
Read more about how to proceed with this here, and you’ll be prepared in case something happens on the road.
Car accidents are frightening, and it’s not always easy to know exactly what to do once it has happened. By reading up on a bit, however, you’re giving yourself that extra boost of confidence and knowledge.
