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You
Had an Accident: What To Do Now
It's
easy to say, but hard to do: Stay Calm. If you're like most
drivers who have had accidents, you may make costly, long-term decision
errors immediately following an accident because fear will give way
to anger and frustration. Questions race through your head. Was it
my fault? Will my car ever be the same? What are my rights and responsibilities?
A calm and informed reaction to an accident will reduce your chances
for additional problems and expense.
- Check to see
if anyone is injured or hurt. If they are, seek medical assistance
immediately.
If no one is hurt or injured, move your vehicle to a safe place and
identify yourself to the other driver. (Some state or local statutes
may require the vehicle be left as is.) If your vehicle can't be moved,
turn on the hazard lights.
- Notify the police
or Highway Patrol. Tell them who you are, where you are, and about
any obvious or claimed injuries.
- Exchange information
with the other driver(s) including driver's license numbers. Get the
driver's name, address, telephone numbers and name of insurance company.
Also, list any passengers and witnesses.
- Get names and
badge numbers of any police officers who arrive at the scene. If there
are injuries or extensive damage, the police should file a report.
Always ask for a copy.
- Do not discuss
at the scene about who is responsible for damage. Anything you say
to the police or the other driver can be used against you later. However,
be sure to cooperate with the police officer investigating the case
but stick to the facts. You may think the accident is your fault but
further investigation may reveal otherwise. If the other person admits
responsibility, offers a money settlement and you accept, any future
claim against the driver may be compromised. You or the other party
may later find damage and bodily injury not apparent at first. You
should talk to your insurance agent, your lawyer or both before acknowledging
any blame.
- If the officer
issues you a citation, sign it. A citation has nothing to do with
your guilt or innocence. When you sign, you promise to appear in court.
If you do not sign the citation, the police officer could possibly
arrest you. You may want to talk with your lawyer before you pay a
fine or plead to the charges. If you plead guilty, you may hurt your
chances of collecting damages from the other driver later. Or, you
may help the other driver to collect damages from you.
- Try to write
a complete description of the accident as soon as possible. Include
weather conditions, estimated speeds, and as much precise information
as you can observe. Take photographs if a camera is available.
- Have the vehicle
towed or driven to a collision repair facility
of your choice.
- Notify your insurance
company of the accident as soon as possible.
Be
sure to click on all of the additional links we have provided under
the "Consumer" button
in the left-hand column navigational bar. There's a wealth of information
available here, including your
rights as an insured motorist, and much more.
We hope you'll
find our site useful and welcome your comments and suggestions on
how we can improve our efforts. Contact us through phone or eMail
at: 770.641.1810
or gcia@gcia.org.
GCIA
- Helping to Build a Better Tomorrow!
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