What Do You DO??

You’re sitting calmly in traffic drumming your fingers on the steering wheel when you hear the sound of brakes screeching from behind. Glancing in the rearview mirror, you see a car barreling toward you and brace for the crash. More than 5.25 million Americans a year experienced an auto accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While we can’t always prevent accidents from happening, we can prepare for what to do when they occur. A car accident is just that, an accident. If you find yourself in the aftermath you might notice that as the adrenaline drops off, your brain starts to whirl with questions. Often, the loudest one is, what now? First, make sure everyone involved is safe. If your vehicle can be moved out of the roadway, do so. No matter what, be sure to turn on your hazard lights. Next, remember to stay calm. Take some deep breaths. Then: Call the police to report the accident. If someone needs medical attention at the scene, call 911 If your vehicle needs to be towed, be cautious of predatory towing companies. Using them may result in expensive out of pocket charges. ERIE has a towing program, and you can request an accident tow by using your mobile app. If using a towing provider at the scene, be sure to obtain the towing company name, operator, contact information and location to where the vehicle is being towed. Document the scene. Take notes, photos, videos and voice memos. Make sure to get: Date, time and location Description of what happened, while it’s still fresh in your mind Contact information of those involved and any witnesses Insurance information, driver’s license number and license plate information of all drivers involved Identifying information of all responding officers Photos of the involved vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. Copy of final accident report If your accident was the result of a hit and run, the steps don’t vary much. Record any details you may recall about the vehicle that hit you and gather witness statements and contact information. Finally, contact your insurance agent directly to begin the claims process.