Even the most minor car accident can turn your life upside down. Maybe you had a fender bender on your way to work or got in a small parking lot accident while running your errands Saturday morning. No matter the circumstances, a minor car accident can mean extra phone calls, time off work, car repairs, and even finding replacement transportation.

There are right and wrong ways to deal with a minor car accident. Here we will talk about the first three steps you should follow when you’re involved in a minor car accident. These steps will help you get through the crash as quickly and easily as possible.

 

1. Secure Your Safety at the Scene

In any accident, there are safety concerns – even with a minor car accident. Safety is the priority in a car accident. The very first thing to do if you are involved in a minor car accident is to secure your safety and help ensure the safety of everyone involved in the accident. Keep the following safety tips in mind:

 

• Make sure no one is injured. This includes yourself. Even a minor car accident is scary, and you may be in shock. Take your time and move slowly. Don’t be in a rush to exit your car. If you are injured, don’t exit the vehicle. Stay put and call the emergency authorities immediately.
• Move the cars only if necessary. Only move the cars if you are blocking traffic, or it is necessary for safety concerns. Otherwise, leave the vehicles as they are until emergency officials arrive on the scene. If you do move the vehicles, try to take photos first. Photos of the accident scene can help your insurance company determine who is at fault for the accident.
• Make sure everyone is safe. Exit your vehicles and find a safe place to talk and wait for the authorities. Look for a place away from the road, such as on a sidewalk or a parking lot.

 

2. Contact the Emergency Authorities to Complete an Accident Report

It is smart to contact the emergency authorities even for a minor car accident. The authorities will help secure the scene of the accident by directing traffic away from your vehicles. The police department can also help with:

• Writing an accident report
• Facilitating the exchange of contact and insurance information among the involved parties
• Establishing who is responsible for the accident

If you cannot wait at the scene for the authorities, make sure you exchange contact and insurance information with the other party and contact the police department as soon as possible.

 

3. Stay Calm and Use Your Insurance

If you are involved in a minor car accident, you will need to contact your insurance company. Don’t hesitate on this point – your insurance company is there to help when you need them, so give them a call after an accident.

If you’re not at fault for the accident and are planning to file your claim directly with the other person’s insurance company, that’s good idea. However, you should still contact your own insurance company to make them aware of the accident. This way, if a problem arises, such as the other party not paying for your car to get fixed, or if they don’t have proper insurance, your insurance company will be ready to step in.

If the accident was your fault, contact your insurance company so they can step in to help you. Your insurance company will contact the other party and take care of any damage you have caused in the accident.

Most importantly, don’t involve yourself with taking care of damages to the other person out of your pocket. This can turn sour quickly, and they may ask you for more money than it may really cost to repair their car and for injuries.

 

Help if You’re Involved in a Minor Car Accident

If you are involved in a minor car accident, keep a cool head. Just remember, secure your safety, contact the emergency officials, and give your insurance company a call. They will help you and get your damages repaired quickly and get you back on the road.

To learn more about making sure your car is insured correctly for accidents, contact our team at www.protectiveagency.com or call us at (877) 739-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.