In case you are in a position, take pictures to doc circumstances of the accident.

Your first intuition after a automotive accident could also be to name for assist. Do you could have a plan for what comes subsequent? Being proactive in your response will help maintain you, your passengers and your property protected whereas simplifying the method of submitting an insurance coverage declare.

Guarantee security

• Take into account shifting your car onto the shoulder or facet of roadway to stop additional injury.
• Stand a protected distance away from site visitors and if autos are severely broken, keep a distance to keep away from unsafe circumstances akin to automotive fires or explosions.
• Activate your hazard lights and place security flares or indicators promptly to alert different drivers.
• Contact the police or affirm they’ve been notified if you’re unable to put the decision your self.
• For accidents, contact medical help and await their arrival. Don’t administer first assist until certified to take action.

Hold your composure

• Stay calm. Hold a transparent thoughts and focus in your security and gathering related info. In case you are driving a company-owned car, comply with your organization’s reporting procedures as quickly as potential.
• Be courteous however chorus from accepting accountability or apologizing for something. It’s best to talk solely to a police officer when making statements relating to the accident.
• Don’t argue. Conditions can escalate shortly. It’s best to assessment circumstances surrounding the accident with a police officer current.

Collect info

• If potential, gather contact info of the responding officer. Make be aware of their identify, division, badge quantity and the incident report quantity.
• When applicable, request contact info from different concerned insured drivers together with identify, cellphone quantity and car license plate quantity. If an organization car is concerned, document the employer’s identify.
• Present solely the mandatory contact info to others concerned within the accident; first and final identify, cellphone quantity and insurance coverage service ought to suffice. Scammers typically use an auto accident as a approach to gather private info for id theft.
• Acquire any passenger or witness info and request that they continue to be on the web site of the accident till police arrive. Passengers and witnesses can typically recount vital particulars or circumstances which will help within the report.

Be aware surrounding circumstances

• Soak up your environment and make notes in your personal future reference. If potential, take a number of pictures to help your observations. Make a copy of our brochure in your glovebox (PDF 416k) that will help you document particulars after an accident.
• Be aware contributing elements akin to inclement climate, hazardous highway circumstances, visible obstructions or defective site visitors indicators.
• Make be aware of any noticed accidents for people concerned within the accident and describe further collateral injury to autos or property.

It’s most useful to document particulars sooner somewhat than later. Gathering detailed info following your accident will help potential investigative wants and supply a transparent and concise description in your agent.

This loss management info is advisory solely. The writer assumes no accountability for administration or management of loss management actions. Not all exposures are recognized on this article. Contact your native, unbiased agent for insurance coverage protection recommendation and loss management info. Neither The Cincinnati Insurance coverage Firm nor its associates or representatives supply authorized recommendation. Seek the advice of together with your lawyer about your particular scenario.