What To Do After An Automobile Accident
Everyone knows that driving on California’s highways can be risky even with the best car insurance. There’s always a chance you could be involved in a costly traffic accident, so knowing what to do if an accident happens is crucial. Follow this advice to be sure that you’ll always qualify for cheap California auto insurance rates.
If There Is an Accident:
Immediately stop at the scene. (This sounds like common sense, but sometimes even good drivers get so upset after an accident that they feel they should run away. You don’t have to – that’s why you have car insurance!)
Check for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911.
Notify the police even if emergency service isn’t necessary. The police may not need to come to the scene, but most California car insurance policies require that you inform the police about an accident within a certain amount of time, especially if the accident is a hit and run.
Get the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and license numbers from all drivers. Write down all the license plate numbers and vehicle identification numbers from all automobiles involved.
Ask to see driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations to be sure that the information is accurate. Get all the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of passengers and witnesses.
If you can, take photographs of the positions of the cars, the damage to them and the entire accident scene.
If you can’t find the owner of a damaged car or property, write a note with your name and address and those of the drivers and owners of any other cars involved.
Notify your agent and/or your California auto insurance company immediately.
And don’t forget – if anyone is hurt or you think the vehicle damage exceeds $750, you must report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. If you don’t do this your driver’s license may be suspended.
We all want cheap California auto insurance to be available to us and to other drivers. Follow these simple rules and you’ll help keep insurance costs affordable for everyone.
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