Who Should You Contact After a Traffic Accident?
After you've damaged your car in an accident, you might wonder what you should do first. Should you call the police? Your family? A towing company? If someone has been injured, then their wellbeing should be your first priority, but when the only damage has been to your vehicle, then calling your insurance company should be one of the first calls you make.
Duty of Disclosure
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident, ideally while you're still on the scene. Depending on your policy, your insurer might be able to provide you with immediate assistance, such as arranging a towing service. Even if the nature of the damage means that you ultimately will not be making an insurance claim, your insurer will still need to be notified. You will have what is known as a duty of disclosure in your policy, which means you have an obligation to inform your insurance provider since the accident might change the terms of your policy.
Document the Damage
If an insurance claim is to be made, you should document the damage. Since it might be unclear whether you will be making a claim, you should still document the damage. This needs to happen directly after the accident, if possible. Take a number of photos of the damage to your vehicle, as well as the other vehicle (if another vehicle was involved). Any nearby property damage will also need to be documented. Additionally, it can be helpful to take a few photos of the overall site of the accident since this can add context to your documentation. So while snapping photos on your phone might not seem like a natural thing to do immediately after an accident, it can prove to be essential.
Towing Your Vehicle
When your insurance company does not provide towing, you will need to make these arrangements yourself. You can contact a towing company of your choosing. They will promptly attend the scene of the accident. Discuss your options with the driver. You have the ultimate say as to the fate of your vehicle, so if you already have a preferred mechanic, you can stipulate that this is where your car must be towed to. Alternatively, the towing company will be able to suggest an appropriate, nearby mechanic.
Discuss this with your insurance company prior to making a decision. Your insurer might require that your vehicle is taken to a mechanic of their choosing in order for your repairs to be covered by your policy. Be sure to collect receipts and all associated documents from the towing company when there are upfront costs, as you might be applying for reimbursement of these expenses from your insurer.
Making phone calls, taking photos, and discussing your options might not feel all that natural in the immediate aftermath of an accident, but calling your insurer at this time can often be essential.
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