What to do After a Car Accident
Getting into a car accident can be terrifying. Making sure you know what to do after a car accident is critical. Shocked, nerves on edge, jittery, and you still need to know what to do, and have a plan. Here are some basic steps that can help you turn a horrible incident into a manageable situation.
1.) Make sure you are safe. Don’t just get out of the car if you have been in an accident. There is traffic, potential broken glass and debris, also others involved in the accident could be hostile. If need be, call the police and/or an emergency number to help.
2.) If someone hits you and drives away, be sure to get any potential witness information. Contact names, phone numbers, pictures or videos from witness’ cell phones are a great start. Be sure to write down anything you can remember about the other person or vehicle.
3.) Police in Las Vegas have only recently started to respond to small accidents again and the response times can be very long . Get the persons information that is involved in the accident. Get their name, contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license number. Take pictures and video of the accident. Conversations between the persons involved maybe important as well. If you do not have a pen and paper to write the information down, take pictures of all documents and licenses.
4.) If a person gives you their phone number, enter it in your phone and give them a call right then and there. It’s a good way to keep things honest.
5.) If the accident is major, call the insurance company right away. They can start the claims process immediately and help get the situation righted a.s.a.p.
6.) If it is a minor accident, call your agent. They can go over deductibles, what to do next, and direct you to the best course of action.
The best thing to do is be calm and take it one step at a time. Following these steps can save you both time and money in the future.