Even if you do everything in your power to remain safe while out on the road, you will most likely experience at least one collision in your lifetime, and those mishaps can cost you quite a bit of money. As soon as an accident occurs, you must take action if you want to protect your finances and move on with your life.
Take Pictures
The first thing that you should do after an auto collision is make sure that everyone is safe and taken care of. After that, you must try to take pictures and collect as much information as possible. That type of data will make the insurance claims process easier and simplify your life if the situation evolves into a legal battle. At the very least, you should snap a few pictures of the scene and any damage that has occurred.
Give a Detailed Report to the Officer
Unless the accident was a minor fender bender with absolutely no injuries, you should ask a local law enforcement agency to send an officer out. That officer is going to gather information and write a report on what took place. When you are speaking with the officer, you must be clear and honest, but you need to refrain from admitting guilt.
Contact an Attorney
While it might be tempting to handle the accident on your own, that could cost you money in the long run. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you create a strong case so that you receive the compensation that you deserve. They can also work with the representatives from the insurance company, and that is going to make your life much less stressful in the coming months.
Use Your Insurance to Rent a Car
You will probably need to be back out on the road as quickly as possible, and paying for a rental car on your own might cost you thousands. If your vehicle is no longer driveable, then you need to file a claim with your insurance so that they will cover the rental car fees. Your insurance most likely has approved rental car companies in your area, and the process of renting a new car should be fairly quick once you are approved.
A seemingly minor auto accident can quickly turn into a messy legal battle, and that is why you must be diligent and proactive after one of those events. The few steps that you take following a collision could have a huge impact on your life for years to come.