Involved In An Automobile Accident, What Now? - Capstone Brokerage

By: Mary Thompson, Capstone Brokerage President, March 22, 2017

Automobile accidents can be scary and stressful for all parties involved. Sometimes in the moment we may not think about everything to do after the accident has taken place. Part of the process is dependent on automobile coverage and what the insurance carrier requires of the insured after an accident. Being aware of what is expected and required as a driver can prepare you for when an accident takes place.

Consider this scenario: It’s Monday night rush hour traffic heading home from a long day at the office, you just picked up the kids 10 minutes before day care closes for the night and out of no where you are struck from behind… Great, could this day get any worse? Take a deep breath and remain calm. Let the adrenaline subside and not get the best of you. You have insurance in place to make sure you are covered. It will be okay.

Step 1. Assess the situation: make sure those in your vehicle are okay and assess the other vehicle.

Before getting out of your vehicle, watch your surroundings and make sure you are not putting yourself in any further danger before stepping out of the vehicle! As long as there isn’t smoke or any signs of imminent danger it is okay to stay in your vehicle. While you do not have to stay where you are and call 911 on every single collision; if the collision involved serious injuries or extensive damage to your vehicle, then you will need to call 911.

Step 2. If it is safe to get out of the Vehicle, check on the other party.

Gather their information. Check to see if there are others that witnessed the accident. Ask them for contact information as well. Business cards are a great way to get the persons’ contact information. You will need: name, phones numbers, addresses and vehicle information for those involved.

Step 3. Gather the insurance information from those involved.

Technology has made this very easy. Ask for the policy or automobile insurance identification card and take a photo of it with your phone. You can even take a photo of the license plate, drivers license etc of those involved. It is smart to document the accident with photos as well.

Step 4. Determine if you and those involved are able to drive away from the scene.

If there are no injuries or damage that requires towing or medical attention after information is gathered it is okay to leave the scene. In the situation where there requires medical attention you would have already called 911. At this point you can drive to the nearest police station to file a police report. If you have any stiffness or soreness you can drive to the closest medical center to be checked out. It is important to if there were kids in the car it is always best to be looked at by a medical professional.

Now that all the immediate needs and concerns have been addressed and all information is gathered the next step is to report the claim. Call your broker or insurance company even if it is after business hours. Most insurance companies have some after-hour or 24 hours claim line. Provide them with all the information that you have about the incident. A claim handler will contact you for a detailed report the following business day.

3 of the most common questions asked about an automobile accident:.

1. Do I have to file a police report?

Depending on the insurance carrier a police report may or may not be required. Often if the accident is your fault you may not want to file a police report to avoid a citation. However it is 100% case by case so ask if it is required, or if it will make the claim process easier by having a police report.

2. How long do I have to file the claim with my insurance company after the accident occurs?

This too depends on your policy and carrier requirements. There is not a set law or time frame. It is suggested to file as soon as possible while the incident is fresh in your mind. Keep in mind that the carrier has the right to disclaim and not cover you, so it is best to report within 24 hours.

3. Does a car accident have to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)?

It is NOT required to report to the DMV if the police are not called to the scene. However you will want to call your broker or insurance carrier. There are situations which will warrant a need to call the DMV for example, no proof of insurance, no driver’s license etc.

Now the information needed to file a claim has been collected, and the claim is ready to be filed so what is next? Follow our insights for next months information about the claims process. I will go indepth about the steps to filing a claim, what to expect from the claims process and how some situations don’t require a claim to be made. Contact your insurance carrier or broker to get a copy of your insurance policy if you do not have one. It is always recommended to know what coverage you have in place