Insurance for the Unsure

Denise Sarah | March 23, 2011

This blog is for all the new or teen drivers out there. Whether your parents pay for your Auto Insurance, or if you just started paying for you own—(like me!) it’s a sure bet that none of you teens or new drivers know what to do if and when you get into an automobile accident. Have no fear; Atchley Insurance is here to let you know what in the world to do in the case of an accident!

“Your paperwork is in the glove compartment.”  This is what most teens know regarding their insurance—and nothing else. (Parents, it is important to teach your children what to do if they ever get into an accident; otherwise, what’s the point of spending all that money on their insurance? There’s a reason why your kids’ insurance is more expensive, so might as well teach them how to properly handle any situation. Before sending them off, review the policy with them and make sure they know about the policy’s coverage.) Here’s a scenario:

Say you’re about to merge into the freeway and “forgot” to check your blind spot. At the same time, the person in the small car behind you didn’t slow down fast enough. Your left rear smashes against a grey Mini Cooper, sending it veering off to the second lane. Your car makes a thundering crash as you slide into the far right side of the road. Luckily you crashed on the side, away from moving traffic.

Gosh, those Mini Coopers! Creeping up behind you and all!

First and foremost, stay calm. Yes, you have just experienced your first accident. Slowly reach in the backseat or under the passenger seat for your emergency kit. If everyone is alive you are lucky—very, very lucky. Get out of your car only if it is safe and make sure the people in the other car are okay. If not, call 9-1-1. Tell them where you are and what happened. Remember, do this calmly. 

Your emergency kit should have orange cones or warning triangles. Set them up around the scene of the accident so that ongoing traffic are aware of the accident and go around.

Pull out a pen and notebook paper from your kit. Write down what happened and exchange numbers, addresses, licenses and insurance providers. Also take detailed notes on what happened, what damages were made, who was involved in the accident, injuries (major or minor), and anything else involving the accident.

*Some say to try not to talk to the other driver so that you do not admit any liability—to wait for the police and tell them what happened instead. Others say it is okay to talk to the other driver as long as they’re not angry or in shock. Either way, this is not a blame game. You must tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

Unless you want to get sued.

Take pictures of the scene and all the damages with a disposable camera. Most of you have cell phones with cameras, which is okay as long as you are able to save the pictures and print them out later.

You may leave after all the paperwork is complete. You will probably have to get your car towed away because it is unsafe to drive. After the accident it is important that you evaluate yourself and everyone involved in the accident. They may be susceptible to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. If this is the case, talk to a doctor or a shrink. This is a serious disorder that can affect someone for the rest of their lives.

These are all the things you need to do in the event of an accident. IF and WHEN you get into an accident you will really know why you have auto insurance. Hopefully, after this scenario I’ve just given you, in the real event that it happens, you will be better prepared. For more information on what to do after a car accident, click here.