If you’ve never been in a car accident, consider yourself lucky. It doesn’t hurt to prepare for the worst, though, and knowing what to do after an accident can save you a lot of stress. The insurance brokers at Zimmerman Insurance Agency in High Point, NC, will walk you through everything from calling the police to getting the necessary auto repairs.

Remain at the Scene & See if Everyone’s OK

Don’t leave the scene of the accident, especially if someone is injured, as you could face criminal charges for doing so. Before assessing any property damage, check to see if your passengers and any other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians involved in the crash are OK. If anyone needs medical attention, call 911 right away.

Call the Police When Appropriate

You don’t need to get the police involved unless someone was seriously injured or there’s a significant amount of property damage. If you do call the police, always request that they file a report, and get the responding officers’ names and badge numbers for future reference.

Get Everyone’s Information

You should obtain names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and car insurance information from each person involved in the accident. If your cell phone has a camera, snap a picture of the other parties’ license plates and drivers’ licenses.

Assess & Document the Damage

Using your phone’s camera, take photos of any damage to your vehicle, as well as any damage to other cars or objects involved in the accident. Photos help car insurance companies determine how much compensation is required for repairs.

Call Your Insurance Agent

Call your insurance broker immediately to inform them of the accident. Be honest about the incident and explain your injuries and any property damage clearly. Provide them with any photos you took along with the police report so they can determine who was at fault.

Don’t Discuss the Incident

This applies to discussions with other parties involved, as well as potential conversations with their insurance provider. Even if you think you were at fault for the accident, don’t apologize or say anything else without first speaking to your own insurance broker or an attorney. If another party’s car insurance provider approaches you to get a statement or offers you a settlement, tell them to contact your broker or lawyer to schedule a meeting.

The most important thing to do following a car accident is remain calm. If you’ve purchased your policy through a professional and knowledgeable insurance broker like Zimmerman Insurance Agency, you can feel confident they’ll make the claims process as painless as possible. As an independent insurance agency, they also offer homeowners, business, and other lines of insurance to residents of the Triad area. Call them today at (336) 883-6512 or visit their website to get a quote or file a claim.