What to Do After a Car Accident

A car accident can be a stressful ordeal for any driver, even if the collision is not severe. That is why it is important to know what to do after a car accident before you find yourself in this challenging situation. When you’re shaken up, it is hard to focus on what comes next. This is why the team at Tulley BMW of Nashua has created this guide covering what to do after a car accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident Occurs – Checklist for Minor and Major Accidents

Minor Accidents

1. 1. The first step should always be checking whether you or your passengers need medical attention. Call for an ambulance if there are injuries that need professional treatment.

• If you are ok to do so, pull your vehicle over to a safe location. Stay close to the scene of the accident, but try not to block traffic if possible. 

• Call the police. Having an official documented report may be required by your insurance provider.

• Exchange contact information. Exchange phone numbers, email addresses, and the insurance policy information of the other driver(s) involved. Take a photo of everyone’s driver’s licenses, license plate numbers, and insurance cards. Don’t forget to get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.

• Document the damage to all vehicles involved. Take detailed photos of the damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicle or vehicles involved. If you can get a photo of the accident scene, it can also be beneficial to do so.

• Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. When you do, the claims process can begin.

Major Accidents

• Call 911 right away. If the collision has resulted in serious injuries, alert emergency personnel or have someone call on your behalf right away. It is likely that the police will come along with an ambulance to take a look at the scene and assess the damage. If you are receiving medical attention, you may not be able to document the accident and get all the information that you need. The police will likely collect the information that you need, so it is important to follow up with them to get the information required by your insurance provider. 

• Contact your insurance provider. Get in touch with your insurance provider even if someone else filed a claim for you while you were being treated for your injuries. They will ask you for more information about the accident to properly compensate those who were involved.

• Follow up with your physician. Make an appointment with your doctor if you are still experiencing any medical issues following the accident.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim

Filing a car accident insurance claim is pretty standard across all insurance providers. To file the claim, you will need to give your provider the information listed below:

• Your insurance policy number
• Detailed description of how the accident occurred
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• All the collected contact and insurance information from other involved parties
• Name of the police department involved, as well as the police report number (if applicable)

Once you have provided all of the necessary information, an insurance adjuster will evaluate your vehicle to help estimate the cost of any repairs. The insurance adjuster may need to evaluate your vehicle in person if the photos and police report are not sufficient.

Trust Our Collision Center at Tulley BMW of Nashua

If your vehicle was involved in an accident, the highly-skilled experts at our collision center can restore your vehicle back to its former glory. We are committed to getting your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible. Contact us today for more information.