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What to Do Following a Car Accident

If you drive, chances are you’ll experience at least one significant car accident in your lifetime. Here are four tips for how to respond:

Assess the Situation

The first thing to do following an accident is to assess if anyone has been hurt. Call for help immediately in the case of injury. Next, assess the cars. If they are causing a major problem with traffic and they can be moved, you might need to move them. But if you can, wait for the police to arrive. Regardless of how much damage has been done, it’s important to always notify the police. You’ll need a legal accident report, and this is the only way to get one.

Get the Information

If you are able, it’s important to get key facts from the other parties involved in the accident. You’ll need to get the following:

●        Names

●        Addresses

●        Phone numbers

●        Car info, including make, model, and license plate number

●        Insurance information

You also want to document some information about the event.

●        Date and time

●        Location, with an address, if possible

●        Which way everyone was traveling

●        Conditions

●        Details of what happened

●        Details about responding officers

Limit your conversations with other parties to collecting this information and assessing injuries. The less you say, the better. And take photos of the cars and the scene. Keep in mind that you’ll be asked by the other parties to provide information as well. Be cautious. 

File Your Claim

Call your insurance company. They’ll get you started with the claims process. Make sure to write down the claim number as you’ll need it down the road.

Make a Decision About Your Vehicle

You’ll need to decide what to do with your car. An insurance settlement may allow you to replace it or repair it, but if this isn’t in the cards, there are other ways to get cash for a wrecked car. If you search online for how to sell my junk car for cash in Fort Myers, FL, you’ll find local dealers and salvage yards that are willing to buy your car. You can also choose to donate it to charity for a tax deduction. No matter how much damage your car sustained, it stills has some value.

The Bottom Line

Being in an accident is never fun. Knowing how to respond will help take much of the uncertainty out of what happens next.