Here we talk about the reflexes you should have after a road accident.
We know that being involved in a road accident is an incredibly stressful experience!
That’s why we’d like to give you some useful tips you can follow when you have to deal with this situation:
1) What to do immediately after a collision
2) What scams should you look out for
3) What to do after the road accident within 48 to 72 hours
1) What to do immediately after a collision
The car crash just happened.
If it’s safe, move the vehicles to the side of the road. If it’s not, just turn off your car, turn on your hazard lights and surround the vehicles with cones or warning triangles.
Failure to do so may result in criminal prosecution. Be careful!
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You have to call 911 or the police when…
Other drivers, passengers involved or you have even minor injuries due to the road accident;
Or if your vehicle is not drivable or there are significant property damages ;
Also if you think any other driver may be guilty of a Criminal Code offense, such as drunk driving.
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Collect evidence!
Collect names, addresses, license-plate numbers and insurance details of all drivers, passengers and witnesses of the road accident. Then, take pictures of every injury, visible damage to each vehicle. If you’ve got a dashboard camera, it records what happens when you drive.
It’s a great way to make sure you always have hard evidence to protect you from scams.
2) What Scams Should I Look Out For?
Is every collision an accident? NO!
You should look out for scams! Unfortunately, there are some types of scams that con artists try to pull involving road accidents.
These scams are more likely to happen in bigger and more crowded cities like Toronto or the surrounding suburbs than in smaller towns.
That’s also part of the reason why insurance is more expensive in the cities.
There are different types of scams :
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Staged Accidents
For example, the con artist is on the right of way at an intersection but makes a gesture, let you go ahead and then cuts in to provoke a road accident.
The con artists deliberately cause a collision in such a way to make you look at fault. And without any evidence to prove your side of the story, they get the insurance payout.
And your premium increases!
Make sure to follow the right-of-way rules and keep a safe distance!
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Fake injuries and victims
The con artist will make up or embellish an insurance claim to get a bigger payout.
For example, they act or claim that they suffered a serious injury that is hard to actually detect or diagnose.
So take pictures, documents, information of any witnesses willing to state what they saw actually happened.
If anyone is reporting injury make sure you call the police to the scene. So you have their report as evidence of who was actually present and injured.
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Referral Scams
Is someone trying to pressure you into either giving up your personal information or going to a particular repair shop, collision lawyer, or other services that they have a relationship with?
Don’t trust these people!
Wait to ask your insurance company or the police what tow truck company or repair shop they could recommend.
Most importantly, never admit fault for the collision, never sign any documents regarding fault and never promise to pay for the damages.
3) What to do within 48 to 72 hours after the road accident
As soon as possible, you should report the road accident to your insurance company!
Well done, you had the right reflexes after the road accident!
But that’s not all! Now that you reported the collision to your insurance company, learn how to fill a joint report and get your compensation.
Click here to know more about car insurance and how your rate is calculated!