How to Handle A Car Crash
There
were a staggering 6,394,000 car accidents in the United
States during 2000. More than 2 million people (33 percent of all claims) claimed injuries. Additionally, 37,409 were fatally
injured. Even more frightful is the fact that there
are, on average, 115 deaths each day in the U.S. caused
by motor vehicle crashes.
That's one person every 13
minutes. And while the fatality rate per 100,000,000
vehicles fell to an all-time low of 1.5 in 2000, there
were still nearly 6.4 million accidents reported on
our highways. That's one every five seconds. And although
the safety standards and statistics have improved, thanks
to myriad vehicle safety features and improvements,
accidents still rank number five in causes of fatalities
in the United States. The fact is, the more time that drivers
spend behind the wheel and the more drivers on the streets,
the more likely it is that you will be involved in a
car accident. Thus, it is vital that people know what
to do and not to do if involved in an auto
accident.
Stay
Put
First,
do not leave. If you leave the scene of an accident whether
or not it was your fault you may face criminal
prosecution. Even if the accident is minor, you must
exchange information (see below) with the other driver.
And, while a lawyer may tell you not to move the vehicles
until police arrive to assess the situation (to preserve
the evidence), it's often best to move the vehicles
to the side of the road. Or, if on the highway, it's
a smart idea to pull off at the next exit and drive
to a place where it's safe to get out, inspect the vehicles,
and exchange information. This is especially true if
the wrecked vehicles are obstructing the flow try
to move them so as not to impede traffic.
When
to dial 911
If
there appears to be over $500 in damage to any vehicle
or if anyone feels any pain, call the local police or
Highway Patrol immediately. It's also good to file a
police report to clear up any potential discrepancies,
just in case there's a lawsuit later on. Remember that,
no matter what you think, do not take responsibility
for the accident. Just state the facts. Regardless of
what you think happened, the other driver may have been
at least partially at fault.
Feel
the Pain?
If
you are seriously injured, do not move. Stay in your
car and wait for help. Most people, even if they feel
pain, often refuse medical attention at the scene of
an accident. They may be in shock, may have to get to
work, or maybe don't yet feel the pain. Unfortunately,
if the case goes to trial (the majority of car accidents
don't), this may be used against that person. So, if
you are in pain or if you have a serious injury and
an ambulance is offered, accept the service and go to
the emergency room where your injuries can be properly
assessed.
If you feel pain a few days after the accident,
it is vital you seek medical attention. A good chiropractor
is often your best bet; a medical doctor may diagnose
soft-tissue damage and write a prescription for ibuprofen
for the pain. A good chiropractor, particularly one
who specializes in injury and accidents, can work wonders
at preventing long-term pain and suffering. You may
have to see him or her three or four days a week for
three or four weeks, but it's worth it (not to mention
that it feels great!).
True story: I was in a four-car pileup on the freeway on my way to work one morning. The next morning, carpooling coworkers were in a very similar accident in the exact same place. (There was actually a Highway Patrolman and a tow truck by the side of the highway as there is an accident there almost every morning. It's a congested highway where trucks and cars merge from five lanes to three). Long story short: I went to a chiropractor. They didn't. I have no residual pain. They do.
Just the Facts
If you have decided to not call the police, be sure to at least exchange information with the other driver (or drivers). It's a good idea to keep a few items in your glove compartment for this occasion: in addition to your insurance information, a small pad of paper and pen, and a disposable camera. This way, you can take pictures at the scene of the accident to document the exact nature of the damage as well as the area.
Take pictures of the road, things like the traffic conditions at the time (especially if it's heavily congested and there are all kinds of merging roadways), making sure that identifiers like street signs are visible. Then take pictures of all of the vehicles, damaged or not (you may need proof that there was NO damage). It may help you to ask the people involved if you can take the pictures first, or maybe politely say something like, "I'd just like to document the damage for myself, just in case. If you'd like copies of the pictures, I'd be more than happy to send them to you."
Swap Info
When you exchange information, here's what you need to get (and give): name, address, telephone number, driver's license number, name of insurance company and policy number. In addition, information about the vehicle like make, model, year, license plate number, and color may also be helpful. If there are any passengers, get their names, addresses, and phone numbers, and the same if there are any witnesses.
Also, if the driver of the vehicle is not the owner, be sure to get the name, address, phone number, and insurance company name and policy number. When speaking with police, do not feel obligated to take any responsibility for the accident. Just as they say in the movies, in case the accident goes to court, anything you say can and will be used against you.
Make Notes
It will also help you to write down a few notes like the time of day, weather conditions, road conditions, street lighting (or lack thereof), and the presence or length of skid marks. A diagram of the location, noting the street names and locations of the vehicles, any crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs may also come in handy. As will a few notes about how fast you were going at the time of impact and a description of what happened. You will be expected to give this information to your insurance company, and possibly to the company of the other party.
Most importantly, try to remain calm so you don't forget anything important. As for the pain your new and improved insurance rates will cause, you're on your own there sorry!
(Source: Valvoline.com) |