A traffic accident is a huge burden for everyone concerned. Not only does it cause damage to the vehicles involved, but people may be injured. You are apt to be involved in major or minor traffic accidents at some point in your life. Traffic accidents are common occurrences, and properly reporting one is important to all involved parties both for insurance purposes and because it is required by state motor vehicle laws. Call 9-1-1 immediately after the accident to bring police, fire and ambulance help. Do not leave the scene until dismissed by authorities.
Exchange information with the other party at the scene. Obtain such information as the other driver's identification, contact information, driver's license and license plate numbers, and insurance information. Give the same information to the other driver. This is vital in all accidents, regardless of the amount of damage incurred and whether the accident took place on public or private property. Obtain contact information from any persons who may have witnessed the accident.
Ask for a copy of the police report. In minor accidents in which no one is injured and there's little or no visible damage, you may decide not to call law enforcement. However, it's best to have a police report for any accident, as it is an official record of the accident details.
Call your insurance carrier immediately to make your agent aware of the accident. You should do this no matter who is at fault. Whether you are at fault or not, your insurance carrier will be involved in handling the claim and can give good advice as to how to proceed and begin handling details. The other driver may or may not be insured. Your insurance carrier needs to be aware of the accident from the first moments, if possible.
File the traffic accident report with the nearest department of motor vehicles office if police did not take a report at the scene. You also can file an accident report on your state's department of motor vehicles official website. Most states require filing of a traffic accident report within 72 hours or five business days of the time of the accident. Some may allow more time. Fill out the traffic accident report with exact particulars of the accident. Include the precise time and place of the accident, as well as what actions triggered the accident.
