What to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents, no matter how big or how small, can be a stressful time for most Jamestown drivers. However, knowing what to do after a car accident can help ease some of that stress. In the moment, it may be difficult to think about the next steps. Knowing what to do after a car accident beforehand can be beneficial in navigating the challenges ahead.

What to Do After a Car Accident: Your Helpful Checklist

Minor Accidents

1. The first step should always be checking to see if anyone involved has been injured. If so, an ambulance should be called as soon as possible.
2. If you are in stable condition and able to drive, pull over to a safe location. You don’t want to travel too far from where the accident occurred, but it may also be unsafe to block traffic.
3. Call the police. Having an official documented report is always best, and this report may be required by your insurance company.
4. Exchange contact information. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and the insurance policy information of the other driver(s) involved. You will also want to snap a photo of everyone’s driver’s licenses, license plate numbers, and insurance cards. Don’t forget to take down the contact information of any witnesses to the collision as well.
5. Document the damage. Take detailed photos of any damage to your vehicle as well as the other vehicles involved. If it is possible, it is also a good idea to take photos of where the accident occured.
6. Call your insurance provider as soon as possible. This will get the ball rolling on the claims process.

Major Accidents

• If it is a major accident, the first step is to call 911 right away. If you’re seriously injured, you should alert emergency personnel immediately. You may need to have someone call 911 on your behalf if your injuries are severe. Police will then arrive on the scene with an ambulance to assess what happened. Oftentimes if medical attention is required, it may not be possible for you to document the details of the accident. Because of this, the police will likely gather some of this information for you. Follow up to ensure you have all the information you need.

• Contact your insurance provider. Someone may have already filed a claim on your behalf while you were receiving medical attention, but even if this is the case, you will still want to follow up with your insurance provider. More information from you may be needed to ensure accurate compensation.

• Follow up with your physician. If you are experiencing lingering medical issues following the accident, make an appointment with your physician to assess the problem.

How to File a Car Accident Insurance Claim

You may also be wondering how to file a car accident insurance claim. Fortunately, the process is typically fairly straightforward for all Westfield drivers. While there may be some small variations depending on your provider, the general process is likely very similar. Here is what you will need to give your insurance provider so that the claim can be filed:

• Your insurance policy number
• Detailed description of how the accident occurred
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Contact information of any other parties involved
• Name of the police department involved, as well as the police report number if a report was taken at the scene

An insurance adjuster will then evaluate your vehicle to estimate the cost of future repairs, coverage, and more. If the adjuster is not able to perform a full evaluation by looking at your photos and the police report, he or she may need to inspect your vehicle in person.

Trust Your Vehicle to the Team at Basil Chevrolet Inc.

If your vehicle is in need of repairs after a collision, the service department at Basil Chevrolet Inc. can help. Contact us today for more information, or set up your next appointment at your earliest convenience.