What to Do After a Car Accident

Thereās no doubt that car accidents are a difficult situation to navigate, and knowing what to do after a car accident will help you get back on Coweta County roads without a hitch. Getting into a car accident can be a traumatic event, and knowing what to do after can help you keep your composure. Weāll even help you learn how to file a car accident insurance claim to make your overall experience even more manageable.
Learn all the steps to know what to do after a car accident, and check out more helpful safety and service tips from the expert service team at Scott Evans Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
What to Do After a Car Accident Checklist
Minor Accidents
Minor car accidents can happen anywhere from a fender-bender at a stop light to someone sideswiping your vehicle, and much more. Take these quick steps if you find yourself in a minor car accident below:
- First and foremost, check to see if you or your passengers need medical attention. If so, call an ambulance right away.
- If youāre in stable condition, pull your vehicle over to a safe spot. You donāt want to stray too far from the scene of the accident, but you also donāt want to block traffic.
- Call the police. Even if the other driver suggests that you donāt need the police for a minor accident, you should still call. Itās best to have an official report documented, and your insurance company may require it.
- Exchange contact information. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and the insurance policy information of the other driver(s) involved. Itās also important to get a photo of everyoneās driver’s licenses, license plate numbers, and insurance cards. If there were any witnesses to the accident, you should also ask for their contact information.
- Document your vehicleās damage. Take detailed photos of the damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicle or vehicles involved. If possible, you should also get a photo of the accident scene.
- Call your insurance provider. The sooner you tell them the details of the accident, the sooner the claims process can begin.
Major Accidents
Major accidents are much more time sensitive as they can involve critical injuries as well as possible fatalities. Here are the steps you should take should you find yourself in a major car accident below:
- Call 911 right away. If youāre seriously injured, you should alert emergency personnel or have someone call on your behalf immediately. The police should come along with an ambulance to assess the scene and damage. If you need immediate medical attention and cannot document important information on your own, the police will likely have considered this. However, itās always important to follow up to ensure you have all the information you need.
- Contact your insurance provider. Even if someone already filed the claim on your behalf while you were receiving medical attention, you should follow up with your insurance provider. Youāll need to give them more information about the accident to ensure everyone is properly compensated.
- Follow up with your physician. If youāre still feeling any pain after the accident and after being treated by emergency personnel, you should visit your regular physician for additional help.
How to File a Car Accident Insurance Claim
When you need to file a car accident insurance claim, itās important to submit photos of the accident and the police report to the insurance adjuster. This is who will provide an estimate of coverage and damages to your insurer. You can file an insurance claim online with many major providers, however, some may require an in-person inspection to get the best assessment of the repairs.When it comes to knowing how to file a car insurance claim, youāll need the following:
- Your insurance policy number
- Detailed description of how the accident occurred
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- All the collected contact and insurance information from other involved parties
Name of the police department involved, as well as the police report number (if applicable)
Find Great Service to Get Back on the Road at Scott Evans Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Are you still curious about what to do after a car accident or how to file a car insurance claim? Youāll be best prepared for your next encounter when you learn with our team. Turn to Scott Evans Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for all of your service and maintenance needs and weāll get you back on Coweta County roads in no time. Explore our inventory of OEM parts and accessories and contact us today to schedule your next service appointment at our Carrollton dealership!