If you’ve ever been involved in an automobile accident, you are probably a more careful and conscientious driver now. And hopefully, you were not hurt too seriously, and your car was not damaged to badly, or else the insurance paid for the repairs.
Not everyone is that lucky.
The United States has an average of 115 deaths resulting from automobile accidents, daily.
In 2005, the statistics reported that there were over 6,400,000 automobile accidents in America. More than 42,500 people were killed, and 2.9 million people were injured.
Someone did that morbid math, and came up with the fact that the death rate comes out to one automobile accident related fatality, every 13 minutes.
That study was done more than 2 years ago, wouldn’t you like to know if the numbers are higher or lower this year?
What are the steps to take after an automobile accident?
Knowing the correct procedures to follow after an automobile accident is the best way to ensure that your insurance company is going to hold up their end of the bargain. You are going to need that money from your policy to pay the bills for any medical expenses and or damage to the vehicle.
1. Remain at the scene of the accident, do not leave!
2. Ascertain any injuries to yourself and the other people involved.
3. Call the police and the ambulance, 911 will have both at the scene quickly.
4. Exchange information with the other driver; names, insurance information.
5. Obtain contact information from any witnesses, and passengers.
6. Make note of the license numbers, makes, and models of the other vehicles involved.
7. Provide accurate, and honest facts about the accident to the police officers that respond.
8. Allow yourself and all passengers to be treated by medical personnel at the scene, and transported to the hospital if needed.
9. Notify your insurance carrier/company as soon as possible.
10. Provide accurate and honest facts about the accident to the insurance investigator.
What are the things to be wary of after an automobile accident?
1. There are occasions, when the other person involved in the accident is not keen on calling the police. This could be for many reasons; the other driver does not have a driver’s license, or automobile insurance. Perhaps they have a criminal record, or maybe they are just late for an appointment.
2. It is common for an insurance company will employ an investigator whose job it is to expose and prevent fraudulent insurance claims. If an investigator comes to see you after your accident, and tries to confuse you by purposely misunderstanding what you are telling him, or misleading you into contradicting yourself, you should be wary.
3. If any of the other parties involved, suddenly seem much more injured than seems likely, it could be that they are going to try to scam their own insurance company, or even try to sue you for personal injury.
4. Stick to the truth and you won’t go wrong.