What to Do After a Car Accident

Stay calm and check for injuries. It helps you stay in control of the situation. Ask if anyone is seriously hurt, and administer first-aid if necessary. Call 911 when in doubt to get an ambulance and police .

Move vehicles out of traffic, as far away from the roadway as possible to protect against further damage and keep from blocking traffic but remain at the accident scene. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or setting flares if you have them.

Don't leave the scene of an accident, even if it's a minor accident. If you take off before exchanging information with others involved in the crash then, you risk a hit-and-run charge.

Contact the police even if the accident is minor and especially when there are injuries or hit and run accidents. A police report can be invaluable to the claim process and help establish who's at fault.

Exchange information with the other driver involved in the car accident. You should collect the following for your insurance claims:
-Name and contact information of the driver (this information should be on their driver's license and insurance documents)
- Drivers phone number
-Insurance company and policy number
-Driver’s license and license plate number
-Vehicle descriptions (color, make, model, year).
- Eyewitnesses: names and phone numbers.
-Location of accident /or address.
-Police officer's name and badge number.

Take photos of all vehicles involved and the accident scene from every angle, if it is safe to do so. Use your phone to take pictures of all vehicles involved in the collision from every angle to provide a critical piece of evidence an insurance company cannot dispute.

Your pictures include:
License plate(s) of vehicles involved
Damage to other vehicles involved
Damage to your vehicle
Landmarks, street signs or address markers to identify the location
Damage to any property or objects at the scene (debris, skids, fallen trees, etc.)

To protect yourself legally and avoid roadside discussions about responsibility. Do not admit fault, even if you think the accident is your fault. Do not discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police and your insurance company.Also don’t agree to forget about the accident. You may have hidden damages, unknown injuries or later find that a lawsuit has been filed against you.

Do not sign any document unless it's for the police or your insurance agent

If your vehicle isn't drivable after an accident, call a tow truck.

Call your insurance company to start the claim process. The sooner your insurance company knows about the accident, the sooner they can begin to resolve your claim. Most insurance companies allow you to File a claim online, use their mobile app, or simply call their 800 number. Your agent could be of assistance when filling out forms and documents required to proceed with your claim.