7 Things to Do After a Car Accident

Experiencing a car accident can be stressful and will likely leave you feeling disoriented, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do first. Although accidents can cloud your judgment, staying calm will help you take control of the situation. Feeling confident in what to do following an accident can ensure your safety and simplify your insurance claim process. Keep reading for a list of what you should do after an accident to help you handle the accident effectively.
1. Check yourself and passengers for injuries
After a crash, check yourself for injuries. Make sure your legs, arms, and neck/head are okay. Next, if you had anyone in the car with you, check to see if they’re injured. If you're hurt but can still move, call 911. If you're seriously injured, try to hold still and wait for emergency responders to arrive. Some car models have built-in features that can alert emergency services and give your precise location if you can’t move. Make sure you know if your car has this feature.
2. Check if the other driver is injured
If you can move, check on the driver and passengers in the other car. If anyone is injured, call 911 or ask bystanders to call for help. Most smartphones have button shortcuts that can call 911 or emergency services if you can’t access your phone screen. Check out what features your phone has so you know what to do if your phone screen is black or shattered.
3. Get to a safe place
If your car is safe to drive and it’s causing a potential hazard where the accident happened, pull over to the side of the road. If it won’t start, get help from others and push your car to the shoulder of the road (only if it’s safe to do so). Turn on your hazard lights to warn oncoming cars.
4. Call the police
After any auto accident, even minor ones, it’s important to call police to the scene. In most states, it’s the law. A police report of the accident will be very helpful when you’re dealing with the other drivers and your insurance company. If you’re unfamiliar with the area where the accident happened, try to give the police the closest details of your location or any landmarks you might remember.
5. Don't admit fault or blame others
Avoid talking about who’s at fault for the accident while you’re still at the scene. When you file an insurance claim, the adjuster will decide who's at fault based on:
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An inspection of the damaged vehicles or property
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A review of the information provided by you and other parties involved in the accident including any supporting documentation like the police report or photographs from the accident
6. Gather information
Document as much information as you can after the accident. The most important information includes:
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Driver/passenger names and their contact information
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License plate numbers
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Insurance information of other drivers
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Makes and models of all vehicles involved
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Contact info of any eyewitnesses
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Location of the accident
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The name and badge numbers of any responding police officers
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Photos of the damaged vehicles from different angles (you could also take pictures of insurance cards and license plates to save time writing)
7. File your insurance claim
After your car accident, contact your local insurance agent. Most providers allow you to report your claim online, on mobile apps, or by calling your agent. If you’re an Alfa® customer, you can report your claim online or on the Alfa2Go® mobile app. You will be asked to provide your contact information, policy information, and details about the accident.
After an accident, review your auto insurance coverage
Following an accident, you might be surprised to learn you don’t have as much coverage as you thought. It’s important to review your auto insurance coverage at least once a year to prevent out of pocket expenses. If you want to increase your coverage or have questions on your policy, contact your local Alfa agent.
*This is not an insurance policy. It is intended only to provide a general description of Alfa Insurance® and/or its product lines and services. An actual policy contains the specific details of the deductibles, coverages, conditions and exclusions. Your Alfa® agent can explain the policy and benefits and answer any questions you may have before you buy.