What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Insurance Guide
Even a minor accident can leave you feeling shaken.
The jarring experience at the moment of impact. The stress of speaking with law enforcement and others involved. The uncertainty of what lies ahead – physically, emotionally, and financially.
This simple, step-by-step guide can be a valuable resource that helps you stay calm and make sound decisions during a difficult situation.
Prioritize Safety
- Check for injuries.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Even if an injury seems minor, let a medical professional make that call.
- Move to safety. If the vehicle is drivable and someone is physically able, move it away from traffic and guide everyone to a safe area.
- Call the police. New Jersey law requires you to report an auto accident when there is an injury or death, or damage to the vehicle or other property exceeds $500.
Gather Information
- Get the name, phone number, address, license plate number, and insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident.
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Get the name and badge number of responding police officers.
- Note the exact time, date, and location of the incident.
- Take photos from different angles of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, injuries to people in your vehicle, skid marks, traffic signs, and weather conditions.
Contact Your Insurance Company
- Many auto insurance policies require notification within 24 to 48 hours to ensure coverage.
- Share any photos, factual details, and documentation related to the auto accident.
- Make sure you review and understand your auto insurance coverage for injuries, rental reimbursement, and other expenses.
Follow-Up Steps
- See your doctor. You may not experience pain right away, but that doesn’t mean you’re injured. Even if an injury seems minor, a medical report will support your insurance claim.
- Maintain records of all repairs, expenses, medical appointments, time missed from work, and communication (conversations, emails, video meetings, etc.).
What NOT to Do
- Avoid interacting with the other driver, except to see if they’re okay.
- Don’t admit guilt, apologize, blame the other driver, or speculate on injuries. Focus on gathering facts and providing accurate information to law enforcement and your insurance company.
There’s no getting around the fact that auto accidents are stressful. They can be painful in more ways than one. But if you maintain your composure and collect as much information as possible, you can minimize disruption to your life and help the insurance claim process go as smoothly as possible.
Stanton Insurance Group is here to help. If you’d like to review your auto insurance coverage or discuss a new policy, contact us today.
