An automobile accident is terrifying, especially if you or a passenger is injured. A few blog posts back, we provided safe driving tips for your teen drivers. York Tire & Auto Service would also like to extend some tips about what to do if you’ve been in an automobile accident. This information is crucial to pass along to your teen drivers, as it will help them and your insurance company through the ordeal.
First, Stay Calm and Focused
Your system has just received a jolt from the accident and your adrenaline has spiked. Take a second to take a deep breath and calm yourself down. Don’t let your emotions take over. Stay calm and visually assess the situation as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1 if you believe anyone has been hurt or if the vehicles are damaged so badly they might cause a dangerous situation such as catching on fire.
Alert Oncoming Traffic
Whether you can move your vehicle or not, turn on your hazard lights to alert oncoming traffic of the accident. If you can drive your vehicle to the side of the road, do so carefully. If you cannot, don’t try to push it out of the way. This places you in significant danger. Exit your vehicle only when it’s safe – we cannot stress that enough – and place emergency triangles or flares around the scene if you have them.
Call the Police
Call the police so they can come to the scene and take an accident report. Your insurance company will need this. Then calmly check on the other driver and his or her passengers and exchange information. Do not react with anger, even if the other driver was at fault. This just escalates an already-tense situation. The police should only be there to report the accident not prevent arguments and violence.
Get the other driver’s insurance information, driver’s license number and expiration date, vehicle registration information and license plate number, and the make, model, year, and color of the other vehicle. Take down the contact information of all passengers and witnesses, as well. Your insurance company may need to contact the witnesses to corroborate your account of the accident.
Take Pictures
Finally, grab your smartphone or tablet and take photos and videos of the scene. Document your recollection of the accident, too, by recording audio of what happened while you film the scene. You will remember the details of the accident better right after it happens rather than a few hours later. Your brain will begin to purge the memories quickly, so document everything as soon as possible.
Located in Red Lion, PA, we are York Tire & Auto Service and we would be happy to look at your vehicle after the accident. We don’t do bodywork, but we can make certain your engine and other automotive systems are unscathed. Call us today.
