What to do After a Car Accident

You’re on the highway, cruising, on your way to Kanata Noodle House. Boom! What just happened? You’ve been hit by another car and your dinner plans are canceled. What happens next?

Today, we’re going to learn what to do once you’ve been involved in a car accident. Let’s say this accident occurs on the highway. The first step is to immediately pull over to the side of the road if possible. This may not be possible depending on the severity of the collision. When you pull over you’re going to want to make sure everyone is safe inside your car. Subsequently, you’re going to want to take pictures of the damage on your car, and the damage of the other car.

Next, it’s important to call the police. You’ll want to have a police officer come so you can explain what happened. Depending on the damage on your car you may be asked to drive to one of the police station offices. If your car is drivable, and the damage is less than $2000, this may be the case. The police officer will ask for a copy of your insurance, drivers licence, and vehicle ownership. Once you’ve let the officer know what happened, they will go and file a report and conclude who is at fault. When the report is complete, the officer will provide you with a reference number which you will need to provide your insurance with. This number lets your car insurance access the accident report and corroborate your story. It will also specify whether you were at fault or not. This is the most important piece of information you’ll need because if you’re proven innocent, you will not need to pay any deductible on the damage for your car. You will also not be held liable and your car insurance will not increase.

Keep in mind, not every accident will go smoothly. It’s important to remain calm at all times and to not lose your cool. If you have a dash camera you can access the footage from it, and use it as evidence if the other party is arguing with you, or making stories up. If you’re lucky enough, a witness from another car may pull over and provide a report backing your version of the story. You will need to have all your bases covered if the other party is disagreeing with you. The police will try and mediate and determine who is at fault, but in some cases they may deem equal responsibility to all parties involved.

While waiting for the police to arrive, it’s vital to exchange insurance information with the car who hit you. You’ll want to take pictures of their car insurance and drivers licence. When you go to file a claim with your car insurance they will ask for the other party’s insurance information. If the other driver refuses to provide you with a copy of their car insurance and drivers licence you can notify the police and they will gather that information for you. If possible, take a picture of the other car’s license plate just in case you’re asked to describe the car.

In cases of minor accidents, such as your car getting hit in a parking lot, or your drive way, or at a traffic light, the police may not need to be called. Instead, go to the collision reporting center. You’ll need to provide a copy of your vehicle ownership, proof of insurance, drivers licence, information exchanged with the other driver, and witness information (if applicable). At the collision reporting center, a representative will assess the damage on your car and provide you with a reference number to give to your insurance company. Some people have a $500 or $1000 deductible, but this deductible gets waived if you’re able to prove the collision was not your fault.

I deal with Intact Insurance, when filing a claim with them they ask you a variety of questions. The online claim form starts by asking which car was involved in the car accident, who was driving, if anyone was hurt, what kind of accident it was (vandalism, car accident, tree fall, fire), the date and time of day the accident occurred, where in the city, where your car currently is, what part of your car is damaged, pictures of all angles of your car, pictures of the damage, there will be a section to upload the reference number for the police report, as well as the other party’s insurance information and drivers licence. Once this claim is submitted, a representative will reach out to ask you more questions about the accident. They will let you know if your damage deductible will be waived. They will also give you the option of getting the damage assessed at one of their shops or a mechanic shop of your choosing. They will also let you know whether you qualify for a free rental car.

Car accidents can be scary. You never think you’ll be involved in one until it happens. It’s always best to educate yourself on the proper steps to take once you’re involved in one. On a side note, if you drive an Elantra you might be prone to more accidents because those cars suck.