What To Do After A Car Accident

Written by Sharad Bajaj

Updated On Oct 14, 20232 min read

Do you want to learn what you should do after a car accident?

A car accident is definitely a grave and scary situation, regardless of the intensity of the situation. Irrespective of the extent of damage and injury it is necessarily a situation of stress and danger and it is important to have beforehand knowledge of what is to be done in the immediate aftermath, so that you are able to be calm and level headed in the midst of it and execute the necessary steps.

What To Do After A Car Accident

Top Do’s and Don’ts in Road Accidents

Let’s read all about what is to be done, and what is to be avoided, in the immediate aftermath of a car accident:

Let’s get started with Do

1. Get off the Road

It’s good to immediately get off the road if possible in order to avoid blocking traffic and creating a further hazardous situation for others who are driving.

2. Call the Police

It is important to call the police immediately after as their arrival is important to assess the situation. It is necessary not to change anything about the accident scene so the police are able to assess exactly what happened and take appropriate action.

3. Check for Injuries

It is imperative that you immediately assess everyone involved for injuries. By checking for preliminary injuries and making a check of who needs medical attention most gravely, you will be in a place to be able to provide immediate first-level medical care from your first aid medical kit that is present in your car. Remembering to assess for injuries and providing immediate care, and then calling for further help if needed, is extremely important. With a first aid kit you would be able to provide the necessary immediate care while professional help arrives.

4. Inform your Insurance Company

In order to be maximally protected from liabilities, it is important to inform your car insurance company of the accident immediately after it has happened. You may want to take photographs to preserve evidence. This will help you make a successful claim regarding the damages of the accident.

Things one should Dont's after a road accident

1. Don’t Try to Flee the Scene

Not only is it important to stay and offer aid to anyone injured, and to be present when the police and first responders arrive, you may get caught in a criminal offence if you flee the scene of an accident. It is best to stay at the scene and wait for help to arrive.

2. Don’t Lose Your Temper

An accident is a stressful situation and senses are running high. However, the most important thing is to ensure the safety of everyone present at the scene, and losing your temper will be extremely detrimental to this process. It is important to maintain your cool and calmly administer aid and coordinate with the authorities to ensure that every person receives the best care possible.

How to File a Car Insurance Claim for a Road Accident?

Take the following steps in the event of a car accident:

Step 1: After you have checked the condition of all the people in the car and are safe, inform the insurance provider. The faster you let them know about the mishap the higher your chances of receiving an insurance claim.

Step 2: Next file an FIR in the closest police station. You will require a copy of the document for the claim procedure.

Step 3: Collect information. Make sure to take down any names and numbers of people who can validate the mishap as it makes your case for compensation stronger.

Step 4: The insurance provider will require certain documents to file the insurance claim. Find out which documents you need as they vary depending on the insurance provider and the situation at hand. Submit these required documents along with the duly filled insurance claim form at the earliest.

Step 5: If the car needs to be repaired the insurance provider first send a surveyor. They check the damage of the car before the claim goes through a verification process. Once this is done you can take your car to the nearest garage to get it repaired. A network garage will handle the compensation in a cashless manner. However, if it is a case of total loss the insurance provider will compensate the IDV of the car after you return all the documents related to the car.

Takeaway

An accident is a stressful situation in which several people may be injured. It is important to be aware of these do’s and don’ts beforehand like having car insurance along with you so you are able to maintain your cool should you find yourself in such a situation and navigate it with calmness.

Types of Car Insurance You Should Know:

Third Party Car Insurance

Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy

Disclaimer

This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.

Written by Sharad Bajaj

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Sharad is an insurance industry veteran who has managed motor insurance products for over a decade. He helped set up and scale the motor insurance vertical for a leading insurance company in his previous stint. In his spare time, Sharad likes to read and be in tune with nature.