It is quite difficult to remain calm when you are involved in an accident, because it is a frightening situation to be in. But, once you are in a calmer state and you know that you are ok and not injured, there are a few important steps to take before filing your insurance claims.

If there are damages or if someone is injured in an accident you are involved in, you will be going against the law if you leave the scene of that accident before the authorities say you can. It doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes people will flee the scene. Once you have calmed down, be sure to notice the other vehicle’s license plate. After you know it is safe to do it, secure the area around the accident by turning off the ignition, and turning on the hazard warnings to alert the oncoming traffic of the situation.

When there have been injuries or if the collision has taken place in a dangerous spot, call 911 or another emergency response number for that area. When anyone is fleeing the scene of an accident they have been involved in, call the emergency response number. Be in no hurry to admit to being the cause of the accident, even it you do believe the fault lies with you.

First, exchange driver information; names, addresses, phone numbers including cellular, and vehicle registration and insurance details. After this, you should make notes that detail the accident; draw a map of the scene, showing street names, the point of impact, the direction each vehicle was traveling, skid marks and show all damages. When you write down the details of the accident, put in the make, model, and color of each vehicle involved in the collision.

If you have a cell phone that takes pictures or a camera, you could benefit greatly by this.

It is important to gather information from as many witnesses as possible and also get their phone numbers and vehicle registration. Note the condition of others involved in the accident, whether they are impaired or not or distracted when driving. Someone may have been eating or talking on a cell phone or been distracted by poor weather conditions or bad roads.

If you have reported the accident to the police, and have their permission to leave the scene, call the insurance company you do business with and tell about the accident and your involvement in it and the damages you face because of it. Your insurance company may provide you with a rental car if your car is not drivable and your coverage has this provision in it.

Now the insurance company has to choose a time to come and look at the damage on the vehicle and photograph the car for their files. The insurance company will assess the damages to your vehicle and then tell you if the vehicle is going to be able to be repaired. If the vehicle is repairable, a decision will then have to be made as to where to get the repairs done.

When the vehicle has been taken to the auto repair shop, the deductible which is indicated on your insurance policy has to be paid by you and then the remaining balance of the bill will be paid by the auto insurance company. When the repairs have been made and the vehicle is in your possession before the deductible has been paid, it is possible for your vehicle to be legally impounded and this could cost more than the deductible.

Visit Peppercoin Insurance to read more great auto insurance articles including ‘What Auto Insurance Do You Need?‘ and more.

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