What to Do After an Auto Accident

Nothing gets your adrenaline up and puts you in fight-or-flight mode faster than an auto accident, and that survivalist reaction can make it extremely difficult to act in the most responsible and self-preserving behavior after an accident.

Here is a list of things you should do after an accident that leave you capable of moving about without causing further injuries.

Accident To-Do List

Do not admit any fault.  Refrain from speaking about the reasons or causes of the accident with the other party.  This is not the time to neither admit nor lay blame.  Let the police and/or your insurance company handle those details.

Take photos: The first thing you should do (and as soon after as possible) is start snapping pictures. If your mobile phone has a camera in it then you can start at once before anything at the scene is budged. Watch out for oncoming traffic and make sure you are out of harm's way as you take pictures.

Taking photos before any cars are moved can help your insurer recreate the accident and resolve who was at fault and can be a great way to confirm damage that did, or didn’t transpire at the scene. If your phone doesn’t have a camera, you can always keep a disposable camera in your glove box.

Move cars if possible: Once you’ve snapped a few photos, you should move your car out of the road if at all possible. This prevents further damage and risk from approaching drivers and prevents the road from being obstructed.

Get the other driver’s information: Once you are safely on the shoulder of the road, get the drivers license and insurance card from the other driver. Write down their vital information, driver’s license number and insurance information.  Be sure to also note their license plate number and ask for their phone number.

Call the police: You can really do this step at any point—the sooner the better. The authorities should be called for every accident, even minor ones, so that you get a thorough, reliable report on record.

Call your insurance company: If this is something that you want to classify with your insurer as a claim (some minor fender-benders can be paid for out of your own pocket) then call your insurer while you are at the scene, with all the details still fresh in your mind. Some insurers have traveling claims adjusters that they may want to send out to the scene of the accident.

Take notes: Because you are functioning on adrenaline after an accident, you may find that you have a very foggy memory of the incident a few days later. Jot down notes throughout the entire process of what triggered the accident and what you and the other person or people involved did after the fact. This could prove useful later.

Get witness names: Whether it is you or the other driver at fault, you should get the names and contact information of any witnesses. If you get sued for negligence, a witness can be your saving grace to testify for other factors that may have contributed to the accident.

Remember, your safety should be your main concern after an accident. If you are injured, wait for emergency services before trying to walk around.

Make sure your Chicago Auto Insurance agent is there for you in the event of an accident. Contact us at Oxford Auto Insurance today!

Remaining Safe While in Your Automobile

Even if you live in a state with no official seat belt law, by now, you know that buckling up can save your life. But fastening up is not the only proactive way you to keep you and your family safe in your automobile.

1. Properly engage your airbags: If your car has air bags, make sure they are properly armed. If they have been activated before, you’ll need to have them reset.
2. Use seat belts correctly: There is a reason why seat belts stretch across our chest and not just our lap. These chest straps keep us from striking the dashboard, the seat in front of us, or getting a severe case of whiplash. Make sure to wear your seatbelt as it was intended so you can get a full range of security. 
3. Practice proper and timely vehicle maintenance: Transmission problems can cause your car to seize up in the middle of the road; improperly filled tires can compromise your brake system—there’s no end to the potential accidents that car maintenance issues can cause. Bring your car to the mechanic regularly so he or she can check for these issues before they help cause an accident.
4. Practice airbag safety: Airbags have saved many lives, but they can also be hazardous in some situations. Children under the age of twelve should never sit in a front seat that has driver’s side airbags. If they must, they should be properly fastened in, with the seat set as far away from the dashboard as possible, since airbags can harm anyone who is 2-3 inches from the point of inflation. Because the driver’s airbag is inside the steering wheel, he or she can also be hurt. Try measuring your standard seating position when you drive and make sure that you are positioned at least 10 inches away from the center of your steering wheel.
5. Use rear facing car seats: Airbags are not the only threat to a child’s safety in a car. Children less than one year of age or less than 20 pounds should always be fastened into rear-facing child’s seats in the back seat of the car. Children shorter than 4’9” should also use booster seats when riding in the car. This prevents seat belt injuries in the event of an accident.
6. Adjust your mirrors: It’s easy to get into your car after another driver has used it and forget to readjust your mirrors. This can lead to blind spots that allow you to back into something or change lanes without seeing a nearby driver. Always be sure that your mirrors are appropriately adjusted and that you check your blind spots before making any moves in traffic.

Observing these simple auto safety measures will give you peace of mind and could one day even save a life. Make sure you have the best rate for your Chicago Auto Insurance with Oxford Auto Insurance today!