Printable Version of Checklist for Your Reference
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Once you have stopped your vehicle in as safe a place as possible, and turned off the ignition, determine if anyone was injured. Get away from the vehicle if you feel there is a possibility of fire or explosion
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ALWAYS! call the police (911) first, ad then ask for a fire
rescue if needed. Be sure to tell the 911 operator about any injuries. They
will notify the nearest medical unit and have them dispatched.
- If possible, move your vehicle to a
safer place to prevent additional accidents and further damage to your vehicle.
If your vehicle cannot be moved, turn on hazard lights, and ask the investigating
officers to help you set up flares until the vehicle can be towed.
- If another vehicle was involved,
gather as much information as possible about the vehicle such as year, make,
model and license plate number, etc. Get the driver’s info such as name, address,
license number and the name of his or her insurance company. If the driver does
not own the vehicle, get the name of the vehicle’s owner. Also get the names and
addresses of any passengers in the vehicle, or other witnesses.
- Make sure you collect the
names and badge numbers of police and other emergency personnel at the scene. Ask
the investigating officer how and where you can obtain a copy of the police report
for your insurance claim.
- If you think the other driver
was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, insist on a breath test for you and
the other driver.
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NEVER
apologize or admit fault for the accident in any way. You may be required
to say what insurance coverage you have, but don’t say how much insurance you carry.
Let all of this come out in the investigation. You may not be at fault even though
you think you are.
- If the other person takes responsibility
for the accident, do not accept compensation he/she may offer you. This will invariably
give up your right to file a claim against the other driver, even if the damages
turn out to be more extensive than you first thought. Let the adjuster handle it....even
if it is theirs!
- Remember Step 2? Never
agree to forget about an accident, even if there appears to be no damage. You may
find out later that there were actually hidden damages or injuries. You may even
find out the other person has filed a lawsuit against you, and you might be wanted
for leaving the scene of an accident! Remember this no matter how nice they are!
- Write down an account of everything
that happened (time of day, weather, hazards, road conditions and driving
speed, pictures diagrams etc) as soon as you can. Estimate measurements of skid
marks and determine point of impact. Make notes about injuries or statements from
anyone who says they are not hurt. Note any pre-existing damage on other vehicles
involved. This will be needed in the future if a lawsuit arises, and you are required
to remember an event that happened a long time ago.
- As soon as possible, you need to notify
us. You can
email us now or fill out the first notice of loss online.
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