How to Report an Auto Accident

Every year there are as much as thousands of automobile accidents. It does not matter how experienced drivers are accidents cannot always be prevented. Unfortunatly accidents do happen and although sometimes drivers are shaken up afterward, the correct steps to reporting an accident must be taken.

1. Cease driving the automobile if it is still moving after the actual accident. Pull the vehicle fully over to side and off of the road. This is to prevent further accidents if the car is blocking the roadway. This also helps protect the driver from the charge of hit and run which is a serious offense.


2. Get help by dialing 911 if you are able to. This is especially important if the accident is very serious but should be done at any accident scene.


3. Locate any witnesses to the accident and obtain their information.


4. Exchange personal and insurance information with the people in other vehicles involved in the automobile accident.


5. File an accident report with the police officer that arrives on the scene of the accident. Give full information of what happened at the time of the accident. Sometimes the accident happens very quickly, but give the information that can be remembered. It is very important the officer have the most information possible. This is done because of the possibility of a dispute regarding the accident later. If you are the driver and hit a car that is parked an accident report must still be reported. Leave your personal and insurance information on the car where the owner of the vehicle will see it when the return to their vehicle if they are not present when the accident occurs.


6. Call your auto insurance company as soon as you are able to get to a phone. Also, give them as much information as possible. Give the insurance company a copy of the police report for proof of the information you are giving to them. Then follow any directions that your insurance company asks you to do.


7. Call the motor vehicle department if there are forms that will need to be filled out as required for accidents with certain dollar amount of damage or if there was a death or serious injuries.