Unless you ’re attempt to nock points in a wipeout derby , attempt policy hoax , or advance your national profile as aNASCAR driver , odds are , you do n’t ever want to be in a cable car wreck .
An auto fortuity can break your entire day . In addition to the inconvenience of missing body of work or a crucial naming , you also have to deal with damage to your car , liability take , possibletraffic citationsand even injury in some unfortunate case .
At the risk of sounding like adefensive drivingvideo , here are some statistics : the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report there were 2.24 million clangour with accidental injury in the U.S. in 2010 . The good news is that since car are safe than ever before , fatal crashes are down to their lowest degree in 60 years [ sourceNHTSA ] .
Even so , most driver are probable to be involved in a car accident at least once in their lives . you could be the safest and most conservative driver around , but that does n’t save you from the person who stagger through a red light and into your car because they were attempting to send a text subject matter while they were drive .
After you ’re involve in an fortuity , there are steps you must take to guarantee your own condom , the base hit of the other driver or anyone else involved in the crash and that everything has been properly document for police force enforcement and insurance reason . There are also some thing you should never , ever do after a wreck . Those things are what we will cover here .
In this article , we ’ll memorize five thing you should NOT do after a car accident . Avoid these goosey and often illegal misapprehension , and you should be back on the road in no prison term flat – with a piddling spare Wisdom of Solomon and experience under your rap , too .
5: Leave the Scene
permit ’s say you ’re involved in a wreck , but it ’s not a unsound one . You ’ve collided with another car but the hurt is minor . No one appear to be injured at first coup d’oeil . So you ’re cool to drive forth , right ?
Actually , you ’re not . Regardless of whether a wreck face serious , you always have to stop , check on the other soul regard , exchange indemnity information and cover it tolaw enforcement . If you do n’t , you ’ve charge a offence .
In Texas , for example , driving away after a wreck could shoot down you a charge of loser to give up and render assist . It ’s a misdemeanor offence , but if someone is injure or killed , it could be elevated to a felony [ source : Matt Horak Law Firm ] .
In addition , if someone is injure , you are required to provide aid to an injured person , including transfer him or her to a infirmary if necessary .
So if you ’re in a wreck , do your due industriousness and stick around to serve the other people involved . You ’d want them to do the same for you , ripe ? Plus , if you do n’t , you could get arrested . Seems fairly simple .
4: Forget to Call 911
Some of us may believe that if no one was injure in a wreck , it ’s not necessary to call911and report the accident . This is actually a very bad idea , and here ’s why .
allow ’s say you and the other driver make a sort of a " gentleman ’s agreement " to get the insurance company wield things , but not to report the wreck to police . But even if the other driver seems on the point , how do you bonk their indemnity is up to appointment ? Or even veridical ? How do you recognise the driver that stumble you does n’t have active stoppage stock warrant ? Also , someone may be in need of medical attending , so it never hurts to call and report what happened .
As many as one in seven drivers has no auto insurance . Many are skirting the system by carrying a bastard or perish insurance card . If you get into a crash with someone who has no insurance , you ’re the one who ’s up the brook without a paddle [ source : USA Today ] .
If you do n’t get a police report document your crash , what validation do you have that it even happen ? In some areas , law enforcementdoesn’t always respond to hit unless there are harm , but you always have the chance to get an accident account . Sometimes , this helps speed up the claims process as well . Do yourself a favour and ensure you do this .
3: Lose Your Cool
A car crash is never a pleasant experience . later on , your emotions are ordinarily running eminent and you may even be injured . In spitefulness of this , it ’s never a good idea to lose your cool , especially at the other driver . ( Yes , even if the wreck was their fault . )
When you ’re deal out with the other driver , the first thing to ask is , " Are you alright ? " Do n’t start laying blame on them or yelling at them . It ’s not go to fix anything and it ’s not doing anyone any goodness . Take some deep breaths and stay calm . You need to be in a good chassis of intellect to value the berth and do everything you need to do in terms of documenting the chance event .
Here ’s one other matter you should n’t do at the view of a wreck : tell people it was your demerit . If you do this , you ’re de jure admitting financial obligation for the accident , which could peril you to a lawsuit or other penalties . Just keep it together , make certain everyone is safe , be polite , but protect yourself at the same clock time .
2: Forget Proper Documentation
So you ’ve stay at the view of the clangor , called911 , and decided not to be a raging jerk to the other gadget driver involve . What else do you need to do ? For one , do n’t draw a blank to properly document the crash and get the right insurance information from the other motorist .
taste to clear your head and image out precisely what materialize . What were you doing just before the crash ? What street were you on , and in what direction were you headed ? When did the other driver enter into the picture ? You ’ll need to have a uniform and precise account of the shipwreck to give tolaw enforcementand insurance provider . You may even find yourself narrate this taradiddle several meter .
mostly , you ’ll want to get the other driver ’s name , address , insurance company name and policy bit . Make note of the make , model and color of fomite they were driving as well . Do n’t forget to compose down the other fomite ’s license plate number , too . Were there any witness ? If so , get their name and phone figure . If you have a tv camera , take some image of the crash site . Those may get in handy during the claims outgrowth later on .
1: Neglect the Aftermath
While the car wreck was in all probability traumatic and difficult enough , the hardest part often comes after . That ’s why it ’s important to follow up on everything that needs to be taken guardianship of . This can sometimes include getting legal and aesculapian advice .
First of all , were you injured in the wreck ? Have you had infliction or persistent wellness problem since it chance ? If so , you necessitate to see a doctor flop away . You may also want to get in touch with a attorney if you think you ’re facing big medical bills . And if another driver is threatening effectual action against you , you ’ll probably need to get a lawyer of your own .
Make certain you file your insurance call quickly . Many insurance companionship have time terminal point on when a title can be file , so get on it right away . It ’s best to know what your own insurance cover ahead of fourth dimension – you do n’t require to find out you ’ll be paying for a rental cable car out of pouch . It help to bonk whether your state laws assign " demerit " to one of the tangled number one wood . Also , remember you have the right wing to charge your car to any repair shop of your choosing .
Do n’t be afraid to abide on top of the policy company , too . Keep in unvarying contact with them and with the repair shop class . After all , you want to get this resolved apace and correctly so you’re able to get on with your life , right ?
Lots More Information
Like I spell in this clause , no one looks forward to receive in a railroad car stroke . It can demolish your car , bankrupt your day , leave you injured , and maybe even peril you to a lawsuit . get under one’s skin into a few of these incident makes a good case for justificative driving . As stressful as a cable car wreck is , there are important steps you have to take after it happens . I just trust this clause avail people remember what they have to do in those situations .
