Things To Avoid Immediately After An Accident
If an individual is involved in an automobile accident, there are some things that he should know to not do. By avoiding these things, one will prevent any potential problems when dealing with car insurance companies when it comes to getting everything settled. The driver will also be best prepared to keep his car insurance coverage without having to pay an increase in the premium.
One of the most important things to remember is to avoid arguing or fighting with the other drivers and passengers. Do not try to place blame on anyone. Rather, just call the police or the insurance company so that someone else who is actually able to help resolve the issue will come out. Bickering will not solve anything and could end up complicating matters.
When involved in an accident, it is always the best idea to call the police. This may upset the other driver, especially if it is a fairly minor accident, but it is a very important step. Police reports are one of the most important pieces of information that car insurance companies use when deciding on settlements. Without a police report documenting the accident, everyone involved is put at a huge disadvantage.
Never sign any statement regarding fault or promises to pay for damage caused by the accident. This is for the car insurance companies to handle, as it is easy to stumble unwittingly into a situation where the driver is paying more money than necessary. It will never be necessary to take care of any of the financial arrangements immediately after the accident.
If the other party offers to pay an amount equal to the deductible at the scene of the accident, do not sign anything that could release them from further responsibility. By releasing them, the insurance company can legally refuse to pay the car insurance coverage for damages to the vehicle.
Do not leave the scene of the accident without obtaining the other driver's license plate and vehicle identification numbers. Do not simply ask them for it; see it so the numbers can be verified. It is also advisable to get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the driver, passengers and witnesses who may be around. This will make contacting them in the future easier, should they be needed to help bolster the argument.
Do not simply drive off after damaging a vehicle when the driver was not in it or nearby. There may be witnesses around who can report the license plate number to police, and any troubles will be compounded by a hit and run.
