Being in a car accident is stressful, but remaining calm and focused is imperative. Directly after the accident occurs, check yourself for injuries before moving to any passengers in your vehicles. If another vehicle is involved, only extricate yourself from your car once it is safely moved out of the road – if possible – and then check on the individuals in the other vehicle. If you are in doubt as to whether you or someone else is injured, err on the side of caution by calling 911 and requesting medical attention. Additionally, even if the accident is minor, contact the police to request assistance. Having a police report will be invaluable for the insurance claim process and for any further adjudication if needed.
Once you’ve established that all parties are uninjured, start gathering information from those that are involved. Information to collect includes:
- Photocopies of Driver’s Licenses or State IDs
- Vehicle Descriptions (Make, Model, Year)
- Photocopies of Insurance Cards
- Eyewitnesses: Names and Phone Numbers
- Accident Scene Address/Location
- Responding Police Officer’s Name and Badge Number
Additionally, be sure to take photos of the accident to include the vehicles involved. Do not admit fault to anyone, even if you think it was your fault. The claim process can be started while you are still at the accident scene. File your claim online, by phone, or from an app if that is an option with your carrier.
At Oliver Insurance in Canby, OR, we are your auto insurance professionals and can help you from opening a policy to filing a claim. At Oliver Insurance in Canby, OR we strive to deliver exceptional service while treating our customers like family. Give us a call today to learn more about our insurance services.
