What to Do in Case of a Car Accident

Coming down from the shock of a car accident between you and another vehicle or person is as pleasant as going skinny-dipping in sub-zero temperatures. Once you've realized that you've collided with someone or something, doing something rational about the situation could become a challenge in itself, especially if it's your first time!

Consider your immediate surroundings first and foremost. Check to see that all your extremities are intact and free to move, as any immovable body part is a sign of a fracture. Use the rearview mirror to asses the situation of your face and note if there is anything wrong with it (as long as it happened after the crash, of course). If everything is okay and you are able to exit your vehicle without any immediate danger, now is the time.

Approach the vehicle/person you cam into contact with, and make sure that they are alright as well. If you notice that the other party is unconscious or bleeding profusely, call for an ambulance as soon as possible or rush him/her to a nearby hospital if you are able to. If the police have not arrived at the crash site yet, contact them so they could assist you in documenting the accident and taking relevant information.

Once you've gotten the details of the other party involved in the accident and you're still at the crash scene, do give your insurance company a call and explain your current situation. Your claims manager will provide valuable information pertaining to the necessary documents needed in properly filing for your claim, as well as important advice regarding your safety and precautions to take for your predicament. Failure to report the accident to your insurance company is enough grounds for them to deny your claim, so make informing them of the incident your top priority at any situation involving an accidental loss. This is standard procedure at any vehicular accident.

Having a digital camera handy can prove to be very useful in an accident, as this would allow you to photograph evidence at the scene itself. This is an important aid in filing for an insurance claim as the evidence will allow the claims manager to weigh his decision based on an actual photographic extraction from the accident instead of just an affidavit stating the loss.

Even though car accidents are usually a harrowing and traumatic experience, always remember that your insurance company is there to assist you in any way that they can. It is the insurance company's duty to aid the assured during situations such as these, and more often than not, this is where the company's reputation as a reliable (or unreliable) one will be most prominent.