From small, two-seater sports cars to soccer mom SUVs, there are vehicles of all shapes and sizes on the road these days. Unfortunately, this means that some cars are better positioned to take a hit during an accident than others. If you hit a SUV, van, or truck with your car, and only your car has the damage, follow the steps below to learn what to do.
AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT
There are certain steps you should always take immediately after a car accident.
- Stay at the Scene & Remain Calm. Don’t be aggressive or confront any of the other parties involved. Don’t chase a car or person trying to flee the scene. And don’t admit fault. Even if it was obviously your fault, do not admit so and do not profusely apologize
- Call the Police. If there has been any sort of accident, you’ll want the police to come and make a report. In some states, not reporting an accident can be considered an offense. Plus, the police officer wasn’t in the accident and isn’t experiencing the same intense emotions as you, so they are able to better document details you might forget, like the weather, road conditions, witnesses, etc.
- Gather Evidence. This includes exchanging information with the other driver. Even if it looks like their truck has no damage and they don’t appear injured, injuries and damages from car accidents have a sneaky way of showing up a few days, weeks, or even months later.
- Seek Medical Attention. Injuries sustained from a car accident have a sneaky way of going undetected, only to pop up a few days, weeks, or months later. It is best to be seen by a medical professional right away, whether that is a paramedic on the scene, your primary care doctor, or a trip to the hospital in an ambulance. The most important thing is your health and well-being.
AFTER THE ACCIDENT
If the accident was your fault, and the only damage was done to your vehicle, contact your auto insurance company. Hopefully, you have Collision coverage. Collision helps pay for damage to your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. You may still be responsible for your deductible.
In this example, you have to make sure you have the best auto insurance to cover yourself. If you’re at fault, you cannot always depend on the other driver to provide compensation. Consider a “full coverage” policy, which is often a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.