Car accidents can be scary and confusing situations. However, being prepared for an incident can help you get the medical attention and roadside resources you need to recover. The following guide explains a few steps you should follow after an incident so that you can file a successful insurance claim and secure collision repair services for your car.  

3 Steps to Follow After a Crash 

1. Check for Injuries & Get to Safety

First, take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down. If you feel any pain, or if it's difficult to move, call 911 right away since you may be seriously injured. If possible, get out of traffic.

Ideally, you should have room to pull the car off to the side of the road. If that's not an option, mount the sidewalk or a concrete traffic median. Once the vehicle is out of the way, turn it off but keep the hazard lights on. You should also keep a set of orange cones in the trunk in case of an accident so that you can set them up around the vehicle.

2. Call The Police

If you haven’t already contacted emergency services, now is the time to get the police out to the scene. They'll take everyone’s account of the situation, and a police report can be helpful when filing an insurance claim. Be sure to get the police report number, as well as the names and badge numbers of the officers at the scene. 

3. Gather Information

When conversing with the other driver, don't admit fault or claim responsibility in any way. Get their phone number and email address, as well as their insurance policy information and their driver's license number. 

Photograph the other cars involved, and document their license plates. If there are bystanders, try to interview them to get their accounts of what happened. 

At this point, you should have enough information to file a successful claim, so give your insurance company a call. They might also be able to arrange a towing service or rental car for you. 

If you've been in an accident, take your car to Heinrich Collision in Hilton, NY. Their auto experts will inspect and fix any body damage to prevent lingering problems caused by a collision. The shop also offers 24/7 towing services in case an accident leaves you stranded. Contact them online or call (585) 392-7800 to learn more about your options.