If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that the experience comes with loads of stress and anxiety, particularly in the immediate aftermath. Right after an accident, there are a lot of things to think about. Is anyone injured? Should you call 911? Do you need to move your car out of traffic or should you leave it where it is?
It’s hard to think straight when you’re frazzled from an accident. But considering that the average driver has three or four accidents in a lifetime, it’s important to remember that those few crucial moments on the scene could have long-lasting financial repercussions for everyone involved.
There are some seemingly minor post-accident errors that can turn your minor fender bender into a major financial headache. Here are a few of them.
Forgetting Your Documents
You’ve probably heard it since you were first learning to drive – you should always have your license, registration and proof of insurance at the ready. And there’s a very good reason for that.
In the moments after an accident, these are the first things you’ll need to locate. If you don’t have any of them with you, or you simply can’t find them, the police could hit you with a number of citations. And those could lead to fines, court costs or – even a suspended license. Make sure you always have these documents with you and can find them quickly and easily after an accident.
Admitting Fault
One surefire way to muddy an accident investigation is to admit fault on the spot. When you get out of your car, you can ask the other driver if they’re injured and get help on the way if needed. But then you should wait for the authorities to arrive so they can question witnesses and figure out who’s at fault for the accident. If the other driver wants to talk more, limit your conversation to the facts of the accident – not who’s to blame.
Once the police arrive, let the facts speak for themselves. Tell the police what happened and let them help determine who’s at fault.
Not Calling the Police
Of course, if someone is injured in an accident, your first call should be to 911. But even if no one’s injured, you can still call your local non-emergency police line. A police report can play an important role for courts and insurers in determining who’s at fault for an accident and, eventually, resolving it. The report can be provided to all parties involved, and it could help you get any financial restitution you may be owed.
If the police don’t come to the scene, you may be able to file an accident report after the fact. Every jurisdiction is a little different, though, so ask your local police department or DMV for their protocol.
Failing to Document the Damage
If you’re able to, use your phone to snap as many photos of the damage as you can. Start with the damaged areas of your vehicle. Then do your best to get an image of the other driver’s license plate and any damages to their car. Last, if you haven’t already moved your vehicle from the scene (and it’s safe to do so), try to get wider photos of the intersection or street signs immediately after the accident. Having thorough documentation of all the damage will help the claim process go smoother.
Getting Too Little Information
You probably already know that exchanging insurance information after an accident is a must, but a name and policy number aren’t the only pieces of information you should trade with other drivers.
You’ll also want to write down the driver’s contact information (including phone number, email address and physical address) and license plate number, as well as the make and model of their vehicle. Be sure to record the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, the badge numbers of any responding police officers and the date, time and location of the accident.
Of course, the best way to avoid these post-accident mistakes is not getting in an accident to begin with. But no one intends to get in an accident, so keeping these few foibles in mind may help you avoid a long, drawn-out resolution process.
Eric Brandt has more than 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry. Eric currently serves as Chief Customer Advocate for Esurance, where he leads the customer experience, including claims fulfillment. Prior to joining Esurance, Eric led customer-centered transformations in the areas of claims, risk management and relationship management for carriers offering personal lines, commercial lines and employee benefits protection. To learn more about Esurance’s car insurance options, visit their website.
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