Planning for the Worst Will Make Your Accident Easier to Handle
|A responsible driver is prepared for an accident at all times. While predicting the time and place an accident will happen is difficult, always preparing for the possibility of a car crash or mechanical malfunction is important. Having a solid plan in place will help a driver know what steps to take immediately after an accident and the days, weeks, and even months that follow.
Accident Planning Tips
Carrying the Insurance Card at all times
Before getting behind the wheel, a driver should ensure that he or she has a copy of his or her insurance card in the car. He or she should also consider downloading an e-copy to his or her phone. Having an app of his or her insurance provider on the phone is a wise idea. The app will enable the driver to get in touch with his or her insurer right after the accident.
Carefully reading and understanding the provisions of the insurance policy is also crucial. The driver should strive to understand what his or her policy covers, the available exceptions (if any), and whether the driver has sufficient coverage in case he or she suffers serious injuries in a serious car accident.
Carrying a Smartphone, Pen, and Paper at all times
With a smartphone in the vehicle, the driver can call law enforcement officers, emergency medical services, family or friends, and even his or her insurance agent. He or she can also use the phone to document the scene of the accident.
Having a pen and paper in the vehicle means the driver can write down a detailed description of the accident and record the name and information of the other driver. Some of the things to note include the other vehicle’s license plate number and model, details of the other driver and passengers, and a description of what transpired. It’s wise to record the name and contact information of any witnesses at the scene. Recording the vehicle’s estimated speed and describing weather and road conditions during the accident is also a smart idea.
Familiarizing with the State Laws
Laws regarding accidents vary from state to state. Every driver should, therefore, strive to know the steps his or her state requires him or her to take immediately after a crash. Some states require drivers involved in an accident to exchange personal information before leaving the scene. Some states are fault states, while others are no-fault states. An accident victim can, therefore, make an accident easier to handle by understanding his or her rights and responsibilities.
Keeping an Emergency Kit and a Sturdy Bag in the Trunk
A driver should have an emergency kit in the trunk of his or her vehicle at all times. First aid kits are perfect examples of emergency kits. Special emergency kits meant for breakdowns are available, as well. These kits carry items like rain ponchos, work gloves, jumper cables, and blankets.
If the vehicle has to be towed after an accident, the driver can pack a few essential items in a sturdy bag. These items include, but not limited to, phone charger, CDs, child safety seats, and personal items.