What to Do if You’re in a Car Accident — 10 Tips



No one expects to be in a car accident, but many accidents happen every day. Statistics show that nearly all of us will be in a car accident at some time. Knowing what to do when an accident happens is important. It can make all the difference if you, your family or friends are hurt and need help.
1

Get Help

Call 112(TANZANIA) if anyone is hurt. Medical care within the first hour after an injury is critical.
2

Notify the Police

In most states this is required by law before you can leave the scene if anyone is injured, or there is any significant property damage. It’s a mistake to just exchange names and phone numbers with the other driver and leave the scene. Call the police. Be sure to get the name of the officer at the scene and write it down.
3

Get Crucial Information

Get contact information from the other driver or drivers. Jot down their name, address and phone number. Make a note of the color, make and model of the other vehicles, and the license plates if you can. The police officer can help you get all this information, and will often have a form for you to exchange with the other driver(s) involved. Do not be afraid to ask such information, or for the form.
4

Identify Witnesses

Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident. If you can, do this quickly. Often, people who saw the collision will stop for a short time, but leave before the police arrive. Other motorists, passengers or pedestrians can be critical witnesses. Get their name and phone number.
5

Do Not Discuss Fault

Do not blame the other driver even if they were clearly at fault. It may just start an argument. But, if the other driver admits it was their fault, make a mental note of it. When you get home, jot down precisely what you remember them saying. Even if you feel you may have been partially at fault, do not say anything that admits your feeling. "Fault" is often a complex determination based on the facts and complicated laws. Leave that issue for the police to decide – or an attorney, if necessary.
6

Write a Note to Yourself Afterward

After the accident write a note to yourself (and possibly for your attorney, if you later need one). Include all the information you have gathered and can remember while it is fresh in your mind. Explain how the accident happened as best you can. Drawing a sketch or diagram of the collision will be a helpful memory aid later on. It may be months, or even years, before the insurance companies fully resolve any claims.
7

Call Your Insurance Agent

All insurance policies require you to notify your insurance company. This must be done shortly after the accident. Unnecessary delay in telling your insurance company about the crash can result in a denial of your claim.
8

File Necessary State Accident Reports

In most states, if anyone is injured or there is significant property damage to the vehicles you must file a State Accident Report. The form, with directions, can be obtained from the police department. In some States this report must be filed within 10 days after the accident.
9

Take Picture if You Can

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Today most of us have a camera built into our cell phones. If you can, and it is safe, take pictures of the vehicles before they are moved. Pictures of the damage and position of the vehicles can be very important. They can prove how the accident happened and document the force of the collision. This can be helpful evidence if the accident caused any injuries. If you are not able to take pictures, ask one of your passengers who is alright, or a witness, to do it for you. After you get emergency care and are home, remember to take pictures of your injuries – any cuts, bruises or bandages, and any casts or crutches. It is particularly important to take a picture of any seat belt bruise on the front of your shoulders and chest. This bruise may not develop right away. Taking a picture of it can keep the other side from claiming that you were not wearing a seat belt.
10

Protect Your Rights

To protect your rights you must act quickly and correctly after a motor vehicle accident. Deciding fault can be complicated. Insurance coverage, and how you will get your medical bills paid, can be very confusing and frustrating. Insurance adjustors may call and ask you to give them a tape recorded statement. Should you do that? You may have many questions about your rights, and your obligations to insurance representatives. You may have questions whether the insurance companies are treating you fairly. Don’t jeopardize your rights. CALL AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY who specializes in accident and injury claims for advice and answers to your questions.

7 comments:

  1. Mufflers are typically installed along the exhaust pipe as part of the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The muffler reduces exhaust noise by absorption—the exhaust is routed through a series of passages and chambers lined with roving fiberglass wool—and/or resonating chambers tuned to cause destructive interference wherein opposite sound waves cancel each other out, and Catalytic converters also have a muffling effect.Mufflers

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  2. And, let us not forget to keep calm, and do not panic after the car accident. It is a must for drivers to remember the detailed scenarios of what happened during the incident for police reports. If one seriously panicked, then they‘ll have the tendency to lose track of what happened.

    Tracy Pierre

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  3. It’s important for drivers to know these 10 tips, so that if you ever find yourself in a car accident, you know what you have to do as there are people who end up being on the losing end of the situation because they didn’t know what to do and they didn’t know that someone that must be held legally responsible for the incident.

    Ethan Rehman

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  4. Some insurance companies will look for a way for them to dodge paying for some cost in line with the accident. You have to fully understand the coverage of your car insurance before subscribing to it. Make sure that the one you'll get has the widest coverage in terms of benefits.

    Issac Hatch

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  5. “To protect your rights you must act quickly and correctly after a motor vehicle accident”--- This is important to be able to show that you are really determined to get the compensation you truly deserve. Likewise, this will simply push the other person to be the one liable in the accident.

    Javier Hoppes

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  6. I agree on that. I have import cars from Japan too. I’m so glad that I have purchased that Japanese car. And who said that it’s difficult to import an automobile. As long as you get the well-trusted company and contact person it’s not hard after all.

    ReplyDelete