It’s almost a fact of life that you are going to have a motor vehicle accident at some point. Hopefully, you never have a serious accident, but according to this Nissan dealership’s team in Drexel Hill, PA, it is a good idea to be prepared for any accidents before they happen. Here are some things for you to think about so when the time comes, you are as prepared as possible.
Some of the things you should always travel with, in case of an accident:
- First-Aid Kit: This will let you tend to small cuts, bruises or bumps
- Pen and Notepad: To take notes and record the other driver’s information
- A cell phone, which you’re probably carrying around in your pocket or purse
Here’s what to do once an accident has happened:
- Move your vehicle. As soon as safety possible, move your vehicle to a safe area to prevent it from being rammed into by other vehicles. It is tempting to think that since a crash occurred that all “evidence should be preserved” and nothing needs to get moved. The reality, however, is that you want to reduce the risk of another accident and move your vehicle off to where it is safe.
- Put on your hazard lights. Your hazard light (emergency flashers) switch is typically located near your steering column, or on the dash. It often is a small red or orange button with a triangular icon on it. Put them on immediately to signal to everybody that they should pay attention to the car because something is wrong. It will also warn people to stay out of the way.
- Dial 911. Whenever you get into an accident, it is very important to have the police come and take care of things. That is their job and they know what to do. When the police arrive they will take over. They’ll document the accident, take care of any issues and control traffic.
- Exit your car, if it seems safe. Make sure that all is clear, then check to see if anyone has been hurt. Check the other cars involved and see how everyone else is doing. If things are not well for others, you can alert the police when they arrive. And again, don’t worry about the arrival of the police—they are there just to do their job.
- Begin taking pictures. This might sound obnoxious but the more pictures you can take, the better the outcome of your situation. These pictures can help the cops when they investigate and your insurance company will likely want to see them.
- Once you’re back home, contact your insurance company. You may want to call your insurance agent, especially if this is the first accident that you have been in; the agent will walk you through everything. You may be able to file a claim online, if your company permits it and you feel comfortable doing so.