Steps to Take Following a Fender Bender

Any car accident no matter how small can be stressful and confusing. Even a fender bender, while it may not seem like a big deal can often cause confusion. Fender benders and similar minor accidents are extremely common but often times they are not handled properly. Mishandling this type of situation could result in being falsely accused of being at fault or not receiving proper compensation for damages or injuries.

The first thing you need to do if you’ve been in a fender bender is to drive your car to pull off to the side of the road or somewhere safe nearby and turn off the car. If you’re unable to move the vehicle then leave it where it is but make sure to turn the car off if it’s still running. Once your vehicle is off and you are not in danger of oncoming traffic you will want to take the following steps:

Call the Police – The police can act as a neutral third party and will also make an official report which can help ensure you receive proper compensation if you have to file a claim or law suit.
Take Pictures – Pictures are always important no matter how minor the damages may seem. This will also help with any insurance claims or law suits.
Exchange Information – This may seem like a given but many people forget to get all of the information they need. Not only should you exchange insurance information but you will also want to get their name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, make and model of the other car, and their contact information.

While waiting for the police be sure to avoid talking with the other driver other than what is necessary. Simply exchange information and then wait for the police. Discussing anything further with the other driver can result in accusations, arguments, or even inadvertently admitting guilt.

What to Do After the Police Arrive on the Scene

Once you’ve followed all of the initial steps discussed above, you’ll want to wait for the police to arrive and file an accident report. When the police arrive make sure that you get the officer’s name and badge number, a number to contact him, and the accident report number for future reference.

After you’ve made note of the police officer’s information you will want to thoroughly and honestly explain the situation. Just stick to the facts without making accusations or assumptions about what the other driver was doing or thinking.

Following the accident you will want to contact your insurance company immediately in order to report the accident. Your agent should be able to advise you on the best steps to take going forward. Even if you aren’t going to file a claim, it’s important to let your insurance company know about the accident in case the other driver tries to go after you.

Get Assistance With Your Personal Injury Case in New Port Richey, Florida

If you have been injured in a fender bender the best thing that you can do is to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you get compensation for your pain and suffering. They will also be able to help explain the process of the suit and the steps that need to be taken to get started.

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