What to Do If You’re in an Accident
It’s every driver’s worst fear. And sometimes it’s completely unavoidable no matter how careful you are. It’s the ever-dreaded fender-bender. As soon as it happens, emotions begin to run high. It can be hard to think clearly during such a traumatic experience. The best way to take control of the situation, and therefore making sure it doesn’t control you, is to be prepared. To help you out, we at Akins Ford put together a checklist of what to do if you’re in an accident.
[ READ MORE: How Does Ford’s Evasive Steering System Work? ]
Stay at the Scene
First and foremost, do not leave the scene of an accident, even if you know it’s completely the other driver’s fault and there is no damage to your car. Leaving the scene of an accident, no matter what the circumstances, can open you up to criminal charges.
Make Sure Everyone’s OK
You’re first instinct may be to get out to see what kind of damage your vehicle sustained. But before you do that, make sure everyone involved in the crash is OK. That includes yourself. If you have any kind of neck or back pain, it’s best not to move until emergency personnel can check you out. The same goes for anyone else involved, and that goes double for anyone rendered unconscious. If there are hazards that make moving someone necessary, do it as slowly and carefully as you can.
Call the Police
Alerting the authorities to an accident is the best course of action no matter what. There may not be a lot of damage and the other driver may try to talk you out of it, but having the police come to the scene is always your best bet. Make sure to tell the officers you want a police report filed, which many insurance providers require. The police can also help with talking to witnesses to make sure the most accurate account of the accident is obtained. Be sure to get the names of the officers as well, in case any follow-up is required.
Exchange Information
The other driver involved in the accident is probably the last person you will want to talk to, but it’s necessary to get their name, phone number, address, license plate number and basic insurance information. This will help as the rest of the process runs its course.
Take Pictures
If you called the police, they will most likely take pictures of the scene. But it’s always a good idea to take pictures yourself so you’re sure you have them. They will be needed during the process. Make sure to get every angle possible.
Notify Your Insurance Provider
Make sure to inform your insurance provider of the accident as soon as possible. Give them the most accurate account of the accident as you can, and make sure they have access to the police report.
Nobody wants to be involved in a crash but as it is with life, these things happen. We hope this list helps you if you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation. And if an accident requires you to begin shopping for a new vehicle, be sure to check out our online inventory for the best new Ford models.
