Just got into a car accident? Don’t Panic!

There are more than 6 million car accidents each year in the United States, so you are not alone. Take a deep breath and look around. If you are able to see that you are not seriously wounded, follow this simple procedure that is vital to making your case for the accident report and for insurance purposes.

1)1st pull the car off the road so as not to cause any further accidents.
2)Assess injury for yourself and for the driver of the other vehicle.
3)Call 911 for anyone who is injured or just to file a report.
4)Make sure both parties exchange information such as name, address, phone number, insurance policy number, driver license number, and license plate number. Do not mention that the accident was your fault even if you feel as it was your fault. It is up to the police to determine who’s liable.
5)File an accident report with your local police station. An accident report will help insurance companies determine who will pay for the damages. There is a 10 day window to file the report to DMV so file it quickly!
6)TAKE PICTURES. In an age with camera phones make use of them! Photograph the condition of both vehicles and make sure every detail has been taken down. This may help your case. Buy a disposable camera and keep it in your dashboard just in case.
7)If there were witnesses, make sure you take their name down and contact information so they can help you piece together the claim. Contact them afterwards to get a signed statement of what and how it happened.

Finally, you have the option of whether to pursue the claim through the insurance company or settle the damages privately. Regardless of which method you choose, always follow the procedure above to minimize the risk of unfair claims and serious disputes.

At Basil Resale Center, We offer auto repair services at a very reasonable price, and if you encounter a serious accident, come to Basil Resale Sheridan to find the right replacement.