Orlando Harmon
If someone hits your car, you should contact your insurance company, regardless of who is at fault. This is because failing to report an incident violates your insurance agreement, allowing the insurer to refuse to fulfill its obligations. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance company will pay for repairs and medical bills, but it is still helpful to have your insurance company involved. If the other driver is uninsured, your insurance company can still reimburse you if you have uninsured motorist coverage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to call | Your insurance company and the other driver's insurance company |
| When to call | As soon as reasonably possible after the accident |
| What to do if the other driver is uninsured | Call the police to make sure they file a report about the accident. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurer will reimburse your losses |
| What to do if your car is hit while parked | Follow the same steps as above, but also check for security cameras in the area |
| What to do if there are injuries | Call an ambulance |
| What to do if there is major damage | Call the police |
| What to do after calling the police | Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, take photos of the scene and the damage, and look for witnesses |
| What to provide to your insurance company | Basic information such as the date, time, and address of the accident, the part of your car that was damaged, and where your vehicle was taken after the accident. You should also be able to recount details that led to the accident and the driving conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Call your insurance company first
If someone hits your car, you should always call your insurance company first, even if you believe the other driver is at fault. Calling your insurer first is usually the best approach, and your insurance company will support you throughout the claims process and accident investigation. They can also help you if there is a dispute over fault, or if the other driver refuses to cooperate with the investigation or denies the accident.
Calling your insurance company first can fast-track your claims process. You’re not waiting for the other driver to start the process, and you may be able to get your car repaired faster. If you have collision coverage and file a claim, your insurance company will send you a check to cover the repairs, less your deductible, without waiting for fault to be determined. If you don't inform your insurance agent about the incident, the insurance company could deny any claims against you, making you personally responsible for any damages to third parties.
When you contact the insurance company, you’ll need to provide basic information such as the date and time of the accident, the address of where it took place, the part of your car that was damaged, and where your vehicle was taken after the accident. You should also be able to recount details that led to the accident and the driving conditions. Write down this information at the time of the accident so you can give it to your insurer.
If the other driver is at fault, they have an obligation to contact their insurance and put in a claim for your car repairs. Paying for damage caused in an accident is covered under basic liability insurance, which every driver is legally required to possess. However, you can’t know for sure that they will. They may refuse to report the accident, dispute their fault, or even try to impede the accident investigation.
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Exchange information with the other driver
Exchanging information with the other driver is an important step to take after a car accident. It is also a good idea to take photos of the scene and the damage, as well as to look for witnesses and request their contact information.
The information you should exchange with the other driver includes insurance and contact details. Contact information should include phone numbers and email addresses. You should also write down the other driver's license plate number. It is also important to get the other driver's insurance company and policy number. If the other driver does not have insurance, they are legally required to pay for any damage caused, and you may need to sue them to receive compensation.
You should also exchange information about the accident itself. This includes the date, time, and address of the accident, as well as details of what happened. It is a good idea to write down this information at the time of the accident so that you can provide complete and accurate information to your insurer. You should also make a note of the driving conditions and any steps taken after the accident, such as moving vehicles out of the way of traffic.
If the other driver refuses to cooperate or denies the accident, your insurance company can provide legal resources to help you navigate the process. Your insurer will also advocate for you if there is a dispute over fault.
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File a police report
If your car has been hit, it is important to file a police report. This is especially crucial if there is significant damage to your vehicle or if you have sustained injuries. Even if the damage seems minor, a police report can provide an unbiased account of the incident, which can be valuable if any issues arise in the future.
In the event of a hit-and-run, where the other driver leaves the scene without exchanging information, it is essential to contact the police immediately. They will be able to create a hit-and-run report, which can help identify the other driver and hold them accountable. If there are security cameras in the area, be sure to notify the police, as this may provide crucial evidence.
When the other driver is present, you should still call the police, especially if there are injuries or significant damage to your vehicle. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, and gather witness testimonies and contact details. Take photographs of the scene and any visible damage. This information will be useful when filing the police report and making an insurance claim.
It is important to understand that you will not personally file the police report. That responsibility falls to the responding police officer, who will create an unbiased and educated report detailing the accident, including any factors that may have contributed to it, such as speeding or distracted driving. This report can play a crucial role in supporting your claim and obtaining compensation for any damages or injuries.
Remember that even if you only have liability insurance, it is still essential to notify your insurance company of the incident. They can provide guidance and support throughout the claims process, and having them involved from the start can help streamline your insurance claim.
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Take photos of the scene and damage
Taking photos of the scene and damage is an essential step when someone hits your car. This step helps you accurately document the incident, providing valuable visual evidence for insurance claims and any legal proceedings that may follow. Here are some key considerations and instructions for taking photos after a car accident:
First and foremost, ensure your safety and the safety of others involved. Move your vehicle out of traffic if it is safe to do so. If there are injuries, call for medical assistance immediately. Protect any injured individuals from oncoming traffic to prevent further harm.
Once the immediate safety concerns are addressed, start taking photographs of the scene. Capture images from multiple angles and distances to provide a comprehensive view of the accident site. Include photos of the surrounding area, such as intersections, nearby landmarks, or traffic signs, as these details can help establish the context of the incident. Take close-up shots of any skid marks, debris, or other relevant details on the road that might be pertinent to understanding the accident.
Next, document the damage to all vehicles involved. Take clear and detailed photos of the damage from different angles, ensuring that the extent and location of the damage are evident. Capture any visible vehicle parts that may have fallen off or been dislodged in the collision. If there are multiple vehicles involved, you can use your photos to indicate their positions relative to each other before they were moved, which can help reconstruct the events during the claims process.
Additionally, photograph the license plates of all vehicles involved. This step is crucial for identifying the vehicles and their respective owners or drivers. It also helps insurance companies and authorities accurately attribute responsibility and contact the involved parties.
If there are any visible injuries, take photos of those as well, provided it is done respectfully and with the injured person's consent. This can be important for documenting the extent of injuries sustained in the accident, which may be relevant for insurance and legal purposes, especially when dealing with personal injury claims.
Finally, remember to secure your own photos for reference. Transfer them from your device to a secure location, such as a cloud storage service or an external hard drive. This ensures that you have access to the images throughout the claims process and can easily provide them to your insurance company or legal representatives as needed.
Taking photos of the scene and damage is a critical step in protecting your interests and ensuring a thorough documentation of the incident. These photos will be invaluable when dealing with insurance companies and can help expedite the claims process, so it is important to capture as much relevant detail as possible while maintaining your safety and the safety of those around you.
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Notify your insurer within the required timeframe
When you are involved in a car accident, it is important to notify your insurance company within the required timeframe. Insurers usually provide a timeframe for customers to notify an agent of an incident, and failure to do so within a reasonable time can have severe consequences. If you do not inform your insurance agent about the incident, the insurance company could deny any claims against you, making you personally responsible for any damages to third parties. This would be a violation of your insurance agreement, allowing the insurer to refuse to fulfil its obligations. Your insurance policy is there to protect your interests and handle the claims process on your behalf, so it is important to notify them as soon as possible.
After an accident, it is normal to feel shaken or in shock. However, it is important to remain calm and never admit fault. Take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of yourself and others, such as calling 911 if there are injuries and moving vehicles out of traffic flow. If there is major damage, call the police, and if there are injuries, call an ambulance. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, take photos of the scene and any damage, and look for witnesses. Write down all the essential details, such as the date, time, and address of the accident, as well as the parts of your car that were damaged. This information will be crucial when you notify your insurer.
It is worth noting that even if you believe the accident to be minor, it is still important to notify your insurance company. In some cases, you may realise that you were more injured or your car was more damaged than you initially thought. Additionally, the other driver could change their mind and decide to contact their insurer and file a claim, leaving you without a record of the accident. By notifying your insurer within the required timeframe, you can ensure that they have all the necessary information to process your claim correctly and provide you with the support and advocacy you need.
If the other driver is at fault, they are legally responsible for the damage, and their insurance company will pay for the repairs to your car and any medical bills. However, you should not assume that they will contact their insurer and file a claim. They may refuse to report the accident, dispute their fault, or impede the investigation. By notifying your insurer promptly, you can fast-track your claims process and get your car repaired faster. Remember that your insurer will advocate for you and provide legal resources if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you should call your insurance company first, even if you believe the other driver is at fault. You should also notify the other driver's insurance company.
Failing to report an incident violates your insurance agreement, allowing the insurer to refuse to fulfill its obligations. Your insurance company could deny any claims against you, making you personally responsible for any damages to third parties.
You'll need to provide basic information such as the date and time of the accident, the address of where it took place, the part of your car that was damaged, and where your vehicle was taken after the accident. You should also be able to recount the details that led to the accident and the driving conditions.
