If you live in Cleveland County than you have likely learned how important it is to be prepared for natural disasters but there are also ways that you can prepare yourself if you are in a collision with another vehicle. No one wants to deal with a car accident but taking the time to prepare for one can save you a lot of headaches and unnecessary stress in the long term. Three mistakes that people often make are disregarding their insurance policy, saying the wrong thing and failing to keep an accident kit in their vehicle.
The insurance policy
The purpose of having insurance is to make sure that you have the coverage you need to protect you in the event of a car accident. It provides for medical care, physical damage to your vehicle and can even provide a rental car. However, many people do not seriously consider what they will need if their car is totaled or think about meeting the high deductible that they may have chosen, according to Edmunds.
Reviewing your insurance policy can help you plan ahead financially. You will know how much money you need to have for your policy to go into effect, if you'll be personally financially responsible for the other vehicle or for any passengers in your vehicle. It will also enable you to customize your policy so that you have peace of mind.
Say the right things
Many times, people find themselves in a dispute with an insurance company or other drivers because of something that they said. From the moment that a rear-end collision or truck accident has occurred, it is important to keep in mind that you are in the middle of an active investigation. This means that everything you say has the potential of being used against you as evidence.
Squawk Fox points out that you should never say that you are "fine" or "okay" after an accident. After the adrenaline and shock have worn off, you could find that you have actually suffered whiplash, a shoulder injury, or some other health problem and that statement could be used to deny your claim. The same is true when talking about the accident itself. Never tell someone that you may have been driving too fast or that you didn't see the other car.
Keeping an accident kit
It is common to keep a first-aid kit in a vehicle but you should also have an accident kit. This kit would include a flashlight, warning flares, a disposable camera to photograph the scene and your car, pen and paper, and information pertaining to allergy or health conditions you and your family members have.
In addition, you should also have an accident form in your kit. This form can be obtained from an insurance agent or you can make your own. It should include:
- Information for all drivers involved.
- Information for all witnesses.
- Conditions of the accident itself.
- Location of the accident.
- How the accident occurred.
The form should also include a section where you can write down the responding officer's name and badge number as well as the police report number. Also, keeping the number of an experienced attorney in your accident kit can remind you to get legal advice as soon as possible.
