According to car insurance industry estimates, a person will file a claim for a collision at least once every 17.9 years. This means that you will most likely experience a total of three to four accidents over the course of your lifetime.
Of course, the likelihood of these accidents being deadly is low. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t get injured. According to the National Safety Council, more than 2 million people get injured in car accidents every year.
Whether you’re in a minor fender bender or a serious car accident, there’s no doubt that you’ll feel confused, emotional, and panicked as soon as it happens. This is why it is important to be knowledgeable about what steps you need to take in order to ensure everyone’s safety and that you’re following proper protocol.
Key Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The following actions should ensure that the safety of everyone is prioritized and your legal rights are protected.
Step 1: Check yourself, your passengers, and other motorists for injuries.
If you or anyone else at the scene is injured, call 911 or request someone else to do it for you. If someone has a serious injury, he/she will need to keep still and wait for medical personnel to arrive.
Step 2: Contact the police.
If someone is injured or dead, or if there is serious property damage caused by the accident, it is important that you call the police. An official accident report needs to be filed. Make sure to get the names and contact information of all the officers who responded to the call. In addition, ask the officers where you can get a copy of their report. Your insurance company may ask for that copy when you file your claim.
Don’t forget to notify the DMV of the accident since someone got injured (no matter how minor) or died since this is required by law. You should also notify the DMV if there is more than $1000 in property damage caused by the accident, even if there is no one injured or killed because of the collision.
Step 3: Exchange information.
Once you have assessed the conditions of all the people involved in the accident and notified the necessary authorities, you’ll need to exchange information with the other driver as well as any passengers he or she might have with him/her.
Get their full names and contact information, the driver’s insurance company and policy number, his driver’s license, and the vehicle’s plate number. You should also note the type, color, and model of the vehicle as well as the location of the incident.
Remember to stay calm and be friendly as you exchange information. Don’t put blame on the other driver. More importantly, don’t apologize or admit any error as that may be used against you later on when you’re pursuing compensation.
Step 4: Document the accident.
Get as much information as you can about the accident. Take photographs of the scene as well as of any damage to your vehicle. Talk to witnesses at the scene. Take notes of their recollections of what happened as these can be used to help you obtain compensation. Don’t forget to get their contact information.
Document any injuries you and/or your passengers sustained. Include notes on your mental and emotional well-being. Keep track of any other types of losses you experienced because of the accident such as missed work or family events.
Step 5: Call your agent or insurance company.
Before you leave the scene, make sure that you notify your agent or insurance company about the accident. They will be able to inform you if you have missed anything that is required in order for your claim to be processed.
Filing Insurance Claim in Los Angeles
Inquire about your insurance coverage
As soon as you get your insurance company on the phone, you’ll need to get some clarifications regarding coverage. Find out how much your deductible is – the amount of money you need to pay out of pocket for repairs to your vehicle before the insurance kicks in. You also need to find out if your insurance covers payment for a rental car, the coverage limits, and how you’ll be reimbursed.
You should also ask how much time you have to file a claim. Keep in mind that the insurance company’s time limit will vary depending on the type of claim you’re filing in accordance to the laws within the state.
Submit your claim
To file your claim, you’ll be asked to provide information and documentation regarding the incident. These may include a copy of the accident report, photos of the accident and your vehicle, location of the incident, time of day, weather, insurance and vehicle information of the other motorist, and information about the officers who responded to the scene.
Work with the insurance adjuster
The insurance company usually sends an insurance adjuster to investigate the accident and determine who is at fault. He or she will also provide an initial estimate of how much the repair will cost.
Get your car repaired
While your insurance company will most likely have a network of repair shops that you can send your car to, you have the right to choose any collision repair center in Los Angeles. Payment for the repair services may be directly handled by the insurance company. They might also choose to just write you a check and let you handle the bill.
Obviously, you want your car insurance claim to go as smoothly as possible. The faster you get your car repaired and on the road again, the easier it will be for you to move on.
Following the steps we listed above should help ensure that you get through everything as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
