No one ever likes to think about the likelihood of getting into a car accident. But this is one of the sole reasons that we insure our vehicles, so it must be considered from time to time in order to ensure that you will know how to best handle the situation. It is important to stop for a moment and consider creating a car accident checklist in case you do become involved in an automobile accident.

Car accidents can be very unnerving situations, so it can become easy to forget certain important steps if you do not have a car accident checklist at the ready. It is possible that the other party may refuse to provide you with the necessary information for completing a claim, so one must also be prepared for this situation. If you take the initiative to go over this car accident checklist while you are calm, then you are more likely to remember the advice provided when you are in the midst of a crash. Find Law has created the following easy-to-use accident checklist.

Car Accident Checklist: 5 Things to Do at the Scene

If you get behind the wheels of a car, chances are at some point in your life you will get into some kind of car accident. As a result, you will need a car accident checklist of what to do following the accident.

The most critical moments following a car accident are the moments immediately after. There are several things you will need to take care of at the scene of the accident, which usually cannot be recreated later on.

Here are five things you should do following an accident:

1. Make Sure Everyone is Okay. Before you worry about insurance premiums or car accident liability, you should make sure everyone is okay and safe. This goes for both you and your passengers and if possible the passengers of the other vehicles involved. Of course, make sure that you are out of harm’s way before checking on others.
2. Stay at the Scene. For minor accidents or accidents where you are clearly at fault, you may have the short-lived desire to just flee the scene. This is NEVER a good idea. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime, and the last thing you want is criminal liability to go along with the liability for the car accident.
3. Call the Police and Exchange Personal Information. Depending upon the severity of the accident, you may need to call the cops. If someone is injured or if there is serious property damage, you should generally call the cops. For most minor fender-benders, you can probably simply exchange personal information with the other driver and not involve the police.
4. Talk to Witnesses. Probably the only opportunity you will have to talk to witnesses to an accident is immediately following an accident. Try to get their contact information if possible.
5. Take Pictures. The best photos documenting an accident are usually the photos taken right at the scene of the accident. Your insurance company may later ask for such photos, and you should take a few pictures if possible of the damage.

Hopefully, you won’t need to utilize these steps any time soon. However, it is better to be prepared than unprepared.

When it comes to exchanging information, you need to make sure that the following fields on the other party are included on your accident checklist: name, address, phone number, name of insurer, and the policy number. It is a good idea to write down this portion of the accident checklist and store it in your glove box, so in the event of an accident you will be able to easily access the details that you need to obtain.

Should the party at fault attempt to flee the scene, the most important thing that you can do is snap a photo of their license plate. This step on the car accident checklist has become more facilitated with the popularity of camera phones, so be sure that you have your phone ready in case they attempt to leave loose ends.

It is of paramount importance to notify your car insurance company immediately after the accident occurs. That way, the details of the collision will still be fresh in your mind and you can provide the most accurate information.

If you would like to ensure that you are fully covered when it comes to automobile insurance, please contact the agents at TJ Woods Insurance. We would be happy to assist you in making sure that you receive the best service possible when it comes to your car insurance.

Have you ever been involved in a car accident where you forgot a vital step that resulted in not receiving full compensation for the damage?