What to do Following a Car Accident

Car accidents are always a scary thing, even low impact accidents. Sometimes it can be difficult to stay focused on what you need to do right after an accident occurs, especially if you are injured. Obviously the most important thing to do after an accident is to move yourself and if possible the vehicles out of harm's way. Once you have done that make sure to exchange names and contact information. This is key. Now a days the police tell you to just give them the contact information and then wait for the police report to get the other party's information. This approach can causes a major delay for you and the other parties involved. Police reports, depending on the location of the accident, can take up to 10 days. That means that you will have zero information on the other party until that time. If you were not at fault in the accident it is going to be their insurance that takes care of you and your damages. Their insurance company won't be able to get a hold of you for up to 10 days because they won't know how to contact you until they get your information from the police report. If, however, you had exchanged information at the scene of the accident then you or your insurance agent would be able to call the other party and give them your information which would greatly expedite the whole process. So, even if the police officer tells you not to worry about the other parties information be sure to try and get at least a name and phone number.