what do you do when you get into an accident?

[new_driver]

if its not a major accident but some damage has happend and it's the other guys fault. should i keep my car there right where the accident happend or pull it off to the side?
anyone care to share their experiences about this sort of thing?

thanks

[Igovert500]

If you are in danger, you could move your car. Generally it is a good idea to get it over to a shoulder and out of the way of further traffic. But if you are not in danger and not blocking traffic, you can leave them where they are so that the cops can see what exactly happened.

No matter what, don't say "sorry" as it can be taken as an admission of guilt. Check to make sure everyone is alright. Call the cops.

Get a police report and get the other guys name, contact information, his insurance information. Also get the contact info for any witnesses. Have them talk to the cop as well. The more people that attest to it being the other guy's fault...the better.

I think that is basically it. Another good idea is to tell the cop every single detail, and write down EVERY detail. That way you are prepared if it goes to court for any reason. Paired with this, is to take as many photos as possible..with a camera, camera phone, whatever...the more you have the better prepared you will be in case it goes to court.


Some people are nice and admit guilt...some try and pin it on you..so you really have to be careful what you say...even though it can be an emotional moment...try and be wary of your words.

Also, some people try and keep it from the police and their insurance companies and offer to pay for the damages. This can work to your benefit or screw you. I know people who have been handed $500 in cash, and it only cost them $50 to fix the damages. I also know people who took the word of someone they knew, and that aquaintance decided not to pay when he realized how much money it was actually going to cost. Damages can sometimes be difficult to assess on the scene, especially frame damage, so IMO, it is better to have the police and insurance companies get involved most of the time.

[new_kidd]

thanks alot for that info. i fear of moving my car in case the person starts totally lying when the cops get there and there are no witnesses. then it's my word against theres. or if i'm driving alone and a friend gets out of their car before the cops get there and claims he saw everything and says it was my fault and that he doesn't know his friend, and that he was just walking by or something. there's alot of heartless snakes in my city. so i want to learn about as much as i acn about protecting myself on the road, especially when i'm new and can't afford to be screwed....anyway again thanks for that good info igovert500.

[Igovert500]

For the best info...just call your insurance company/agent and just ask them the same thing. They are the most experienced in such matters...

[fredjacksonsan]

I work in insurance and have experience with that.

What Igovert was saying was correct, leave the vehicles where they are unless you're in danger. If there is ANY doubt about who could be at fault (like a lane change, 4-way stop, or a red light intersection with no witnesses for example) make sure to take pictures before you move the vehicles.

Always get the other person's insurance information, info from their license, phone number and license plate number. I've seen plenty of people with fake insurance cards (or a friend's) so make sure to get the license, and if you can, the VIN number (which is on the driver's side, near the lower corner of the windshield, on the dash).

Any other questions, feel free to post here or PM me.

[exploded99]

With one exception: You need to know if there is a law in your state / city to move your vehicle out of traffic after an accident.

There is in Colorado: I guess the thinking is that it is dangerous to leave stopped vehicles in moving traffic.

This is mostly intended to get vehicles out of the way on freeways and highways where people are moving fast. They were having many " secondary" accidents caused by the first accident.