What to do if you are in an auto accident. I’m sure that you have heard many different, conflicting, things that you should do if you are involved in an auto accident.
The first thing you need to do, is stay calm. Staying calm can be very hard, but you need to stay as calm as possible. You will be able to evaluate your situation a lot better if you are calm.
Second, make sure everyone that is in your vehicle is okay. The health of yourself and your passengers is more important than any damage to your car, even to insurance companies. Turn on your hazard lights, so that other drivers will know to slow down. If you are in a minor accident and there are no injuries, move your car to a safe place. You do not want to be caught in traffic. You can receive a citation for blocking traffic if your accident is minor.
Always call the police, even if the accident is minor. A police report will come in handy when you file a claim with your insurance company. Once you have called the police, call your insurance company. If you have a camera, camera phone or a video camera, take pictures/video of the accident and damage to both vehicles. Never admit that an accident was your fault, even if it was, but be truthful. Do not accuse the other driver of being at fault. Remember to be polite, even if the other driver is not. If there are witnesses to the accident, get their contact information.
And finally, once the police have left the scene of the accident, you are free to go. Call your insurance back with as much information as you can and schedule an appointment to have an estimate given for the damage to your car.