While most individuals involved in accidents on the road will suffer only slight injuries, the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming and quite scary. During this time, it's hard to think straight. That's why it's so important to have a plan in place.
While most individuals involved in accidents on the road will suffer only slight injuries, the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming and quite scary. During this time, it's hard to think straight. That's why it's so important to have a plan in place.
The Aftermath of a Car Accident
Planning for the worst doesn’t mean you’re pessimistic; it simply means you are safe and ready for anything that could happen. If your BMW is involved in an accident, it is vital that you have taken the following steps.
- Keep an Emergency Kit in the BMW- Before you get in your BMW again, put together an emergency kit. This kit should include a cell phone, a disposable camera (if the cell phone does not have camera capabilities,) pen and paper, emergency flares, a reflective triangle, a flashlight, and a card that contains information about you and the passengers who ride with you often. This includes names, allergies, and medical information that will be helpful to paramedics if you are unable to answer questions.
- Always Keep Safety First- If an accident was minor, always take the time to consider your safety and the safety of others. Get the BMW out of the road as quickly as possible. If BMW parts were damaged during the accident and the car cannot be moved, do not stay in the car. Put on the hazards and set emergency flares and reflective triangles down so oncoming traffic can see the hazard, then get yourself and your passengers to safety. While you may have escaped one accident unharmed, all it takes is another driver who is not paying attention to the road to put your life in danger once again.
- Exchange Information- If the accident is serious, it is AGAINST THE LAW to refuse to exchange information with the other driver. The information you will need to give is your name, address, phone number, insurance policy number, licence plate number, licence number, and the name of your insurance company. It will also be to your benefit to write down a description of the other driver’s car and take as many pictures as possible.
- Call the Police- If the accident was serious in nature or the other driver is violent, angry, or refuses to offer his information, always call the police. They will be able to act as a mediator. In addition, if the accident did not involve another vehicle, but instead involved a stationary object (like a pole or fence,) a dog, or a farm vehicle, the law requires you to contact the police as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Don’t Admit Fault- Never, ever admit that the accident was your fault. That’s for the insurance company and the police to decide.
- File a Report- Always file a report with your insurance company as quickly as possible after the accident. Be as detailed as you can during the report, from describing scattered and broken car parts to analysing your speed and your attention at the time of the accident.
- Repairing Car Parts- While your BMW may be in a million pieces, don’t automatically send the car to the shop to be fixed. Your insurance company or the insurance company of the other driver may want to have the BMW’s condition evaluated by their own professional before it is repaired. If you get too hasty you may end up paying for all the new BMW parts yourself.
Do you know what to do if you’re in a car accident? Follow these tips to keep yourself and your BMW as safe as possible.
