Navigating The Aftermath: A Guide To Post-Accident Procedures With Farmers Insurance

If you've been in a car accident, it's important to stay calm and follow these steps to ensure your safety and well-being, as well as to comply with Farmers Insurance requirements for filing a claim. Firstly, pull over to the side of the road if it is safe to do so, and check yourself and others for any injuries. Call 911 immediately if there are any injuries or if the roadway is blocked. Exchange information with the other driver(s), including names, contact details, driver's licenses, and insurance information. It is also important to gather contact information from any witnesses present. Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and document the location and direction of travel of each vehicle involved. If possible, write down or record your account of the accident while it is still fresh in your memory. Contact the police to report the accident and obtain a police report number, as this may be required by your insurance company when filing a claim. Finally, contact Farmers Insurance at 1-800-435-7764 to report the accident and initiate the claims process. Remember to stay calm and follow these steps to protect yourself and ensure a smooth insurance claim process.

Call 911 and report the accident to the police

If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. If you are hurt, do not move unless it is essential. If others are badly hurt, keep them warm and do not move them. If there are no injuries, and the cars are not causing a traffic hazard, calling 911 may not be necessary. However, it is recommended that you call the police, even if it is a minor accident.

Calling 911 will connect you with an operator who can help you decide if an ambulance is required and send police assistance. If the 911 operator does not connect you with the police, consider contacting them yourself. Reporting an accident to the police may be legally required in your state, and a police report is often necessary to file an insurance claim. The police can help direct traffic and their flashing lights are more visible than hazard lights and flares.

When the police arrive, get the name and badge number of the responding officers, as well as a police report number. This information will be useful for your insurance claim. If the police do not come to the scene, you can file an accident report at the police department or on their website.

Take photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage

Taking photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage is a crucial step in the aftermath of a car accident. Here are some detailed guidelines on how to effectively capture these important visuals:

Safety First:

Before taking any photos, always prioritise your safety and the safety of others. Ensure you are in a secure location away from oncoming traffic and potential hazards like scattered debris. Follow the instructions of emergency services personnel and maintain a safe distance from the accident scene.

Capture the Entire Scene:

Use your smartphone camera or digital camera to take photos of the entire accident scene from multiple angles and distances. Include the surrounding area, such as nearby buildings, trees, guardrails, etc. Capture the position and proximity of all vehicles involved in the accident in relation to each other and the roadway. Get close-up shots of vehicle damage, including dents, scratches, broken glass, and deployed airbags. If possible, frame the shots to include the license plates of all vehicles.

Document Traffic Signals and Road Conditions:

Photograph traffic signals, signs, skid marks, and any other relevant details. These visuals can provide valuable information about the traffic conditions and the actions of the drivers involved. Capture road conditions such as potholes, hazards, or wet leaves, as they may have contributed to the accident.

Include Weather Conditions:

Document the weather at the time of the accident. Take photos of rain, snow, fog, or a bright sun that may have impacted visibility or road conditions. This can help establish if weather conditions were a contributing factor.

Capture Property Damage:

In addition to vehicle damage, photograph any damaged property belonging to the drivers or passengers. This includes items inside the car, such as laptops, car seats, or other personal belongings. Take pictures of damaged street signs, guardrails, lampposts, or any other stationary objects that may have been struck during the collision.

Photograph Injuries:

If you have visible injuries, document them with photos. If possible, get someone to take photos of your injuries, as this can help prove the severity of your wounds and the impact on your life. However, always remember to respect the privacy of others and avoid taking photos of their injuries without their consent.

Document Official Documents:

Take photos of the other drivers' licenses, registrations, and license plates. Also, capture the name and badge number of responding police officers and emergency personnel. Having your own copy of this information can ensure accuracy and support your insurance claim.

Use Different Angles and Distances:

Capture photos from various angles and distances to provide a comprehensive record of the accident scene. Take close-up shots from 1-5 feet away, medium-distance photos from 10-15 feet, and long-distance or panoramic shots from 20 feet or more. This will help demonstrate the perspective and scale of the scene.

Preserve Evidence:

Remember that accident scenes can change rapidly, so capture as many photos as possible before the vehicles are moved or the area is cleared. These photos will serve as crucial evidence for insurance claims, personal injury lawsuits, and legal proceedings.

Seek Permission:

When taking photos of other individuals at the scene, always ask for their permission. Respect their privacy and refrain from posting any photos of others on social media without their consent.

Exchange information with the other driver(s)

Exchanging information with the other driver(s) is a crucial step after a car accident. Here are some detailed instructions on what to do:

Firstly, ensure you get the other driver's name and contact information. This includes their phone number, email, and address. You can use your cellphone to take a snapshot of their driver's license, which will contain most of this information. It is important to get accurate contact details to facilitate the insurance process and any necessary follow-up communication.

Next, exchange insurance information with the other driver(s). Ask to see their insurance card and take a photo of it. This will help you when contacting their insurance company and filing your claim. Make a note of their insurance company and policy number. If they are a Farmers Insurance customer, getting their policy number will be useful when contacting the Farmers Claims Center.

In addition to the basic contact and insurance information, it is beneficial to gather as much additional information as possible about the other driver(s) and their vehicle(s). This includes the type of vehicle they were driving (including its color, make, and model), their license plate number, driver's license number, and vehicle registration. Taking photos of these documents can be a quick and efficient way to record this information.

If there are witnesses to the accident, it is also a good idea to get their names and contact information. A neutral third-party account of the incident can be valuable in supporting your claim.

Remember to remain calm and polite throughout this process. Exchanging information is a standard procedure after a car accident and will help all parties involved when dealing with insurance companies and any necessary repairs or medical treatment.

Get the names and contact information of witnesses

After a car accident, it is important to get the names and contact information of witnesses. Witnesses are individuals who were not involved in the accident but saw or heard it happen. They can provide valuable information about what happened and can help establish who was at fault.

• Speak to people at the scene: If you are able, try to identify people who may have witnessed the accident and get their names and contact information. This includes drivers and passengers in other vehicles, as well as people in nearby buildings or on the sidewalk. Even if a witness did not see the collision itself, they may still have valuable information, such as hearing a driver admit fault or seeing a driver appear injured or intoxicated.
• Return to the scene: If you were unable to speak to anyone at the time of the accident, consider revisiting the scene. Business owners or people who frequent the area may have witnessed the accident or know someone who did.
• Obtain a police report: Police officers often speak to bystanders at the scene of an accident and include their contact information in the police report. You can request a copy of the report from the investigating officer's agency or the local police department.
• Ask other witnesses: If you were able to get the contact information of one witness, they may have been with another person who also saw the accident. Multiple agreeing accounts of the accident can help strengthen your case.
• Get detailed contact information: When you do find witnesses, be sure to get their full name, telephone numbers (home, work, and cell), and mailing addresses for home and work. It is also a good idea to get the phone number of someone close to the witness, such as a spouse or family member.
• Ask witnesses for their account: Once you have their contact information, ask witnesses to provide their account of what they saw and heard. You can ask them to write a brief statement or record a voice memo on your phone. It is important to do this as soon as possible while their memory of the accident is still fresh.
• Be mindful of witness comfort: While it is important to get witness information, it is also crucial to respect their boundaries. If a witness seems uncomfortable or agitated, simply take down their contact information and avoid pushing them for a statement.

Contact Farmers Insurance to report the accident

Contacting Farmers Insurance to report an accident is a straightforward process. Here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Ensure Your Safety

Before anything else, make sure you are in a safe location away from oncoming traffic. If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.

Step 2: Gather Information

Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved, including names, contact details, driver's license numbers, insurance information, and vehicle details (such as the type, license plate number, and vehicle registration). If there are any witnesses, be sure to get their names and contact information as well.

Step 3: Document the Scene

Use your phone to take photos of the accident scene, capturing vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, physical injuries, property damage, and the location and direction of each vehicle involved. If possible, take pictures of the entire vehicle, even the parts that aren't damaged, as these can be useful during the claims process.

Step 4: Contact the Police

It is generally recommended to involve the police, even in minor accidents. Call the police and provide them with your name, contact information, and location. They will meet you at the scene and prepare a report, which may be required by your insurance company when filing a claim. Get the name of the responding officer(s) and the police report number.

Step 5: Report the Accident to Farmers Insurance

Contact Farmers Insurance as soon as possible to report the accident. You can reach them by calling their Claims Center at 1-800-435-7764. You can choose to report the accident and file a claim simultaneously or report the accident first and file a claim at a later time.

When reporting the accident, provide Farmers Insurance with the information you've gathered, including the other driver's information, witness details, and police report number. You may also need to provide your policy number and information about the accident, such as the date, time, and location.

Remember to stay calm throughout the process and follow any instructions provided by emergency services and insurance professionals.

Frequently asked questions