No matter how long you’ve been driving or how careful you are on the road, accidents can still happen. However, if you’ve never had to file a car insurance claim or been involved in a fender bender with another driver, you may not know what to do following a collision. Tammy Ross Insurance in Monroe, NC, wants to help. Their dedicated agents explain what you need to do after you’re involved in an accident on the road.

A Car Insurance Provider’s Guide to Handling Accidents

1. Move to a Safe Place

The very first step you need to take is check with your passengers and assess whether anyone in the vehicle was injured. If not, try to move your car to a safe place along the side of the road and away from traffic. This will ensure help can reach you more quickly while also reducing the risk of another fender bender from passing cars. Once your vehicle is moved, you and the other driver can exchange information or wait for the authorities arrive to assess the damage.

2. Document the Damage

It’s always a good idea to take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident before leaving the scene. Make sure to get the other driver’s license plate number and insurance policy number, and record the location of the accident. While speaking with the other driver, stay calm, and avoid taking the blame for the wreck. Instead, let the authorities and the insurance company determine fault.

3. Call Your Insurance Company

If the wreck is minor, you can wait to call your car insurance company until you get home. However, if the damage is significant, it’s best to call your agent as soon as possible. The sooner you start the claim process, the more quickly they can help you get back on the road. Keep in mind it can take several weeks for the claims and repair processes to finish.

Knowing what to do after an accident can take some of the stress out of the process, but you’ll always need a good auto insurance policy to keep you protected on the road. Let the experts at Tammy Ross Insurance help you find the perfect policy. Learn more about their car and liability insurance options online. For a free quote on car insurance or to discuss bundling your homeowners insurance policy, call (704) 233-4981.