Car crashes are dangerous and frightful incidents regardless of how bad things are going on. It is always a stressful and dangerous situation, regardless of the extent of the damage and injuries, therefore it is important to know what to do in the immediate aftermath so that you can stay composed and take the necessary activities.
Top Road Accident Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
1. Get off of the Highway
Get off the road as soon as it is possible to do so in order to prevent clogging up traffic and endangering other drivers.
2. Contact the Authorities
It’s imperative that you call the police as soon as possible so that they can assess the situation. It’s imperative that nothing be done to change the accident scene so that the police can properly investigate and determine what happened.
3. Examine for Injuries
It is imperative that you check for injuries on all parties involved as soon as possible. By checking for minor wounds and figuring out who needs medical attention the most immediately, you can provide quick first-level care from your first aid kit in your car. It’s imperative to keep in mind to check for injuries, administer emergency care, and get in touch if more help is needed. With a first aid kit, you could provide the necessary initial care until professional help could arrive.
4. Notify your Insurance Provider
In order to be completely protected from liability, you must tell your auto insurance provider of the collision as soon as it happens. You might want to take pictures in order to preserve evidence. This can help you submit a successful claim for the losses resulting from the accident.
5. Gather Information
You have to give the third party your insurance information and contact details if you caused the collision. If another car caused the crash, record the license plate number, insurance information, and registration details of that car.
Don’ts:
1. Don’t Attempt to Flee the Situation
If you leave the site of an accident unattended, you can face criminal charges. It’s imperative to stay and help anyone who has been hurt, but it’s also critical to be there when the police and other emergency personnel arrive. It is best to stay where you are and wait for help.
2. Do Not Lose Your Cool
An accident is a tense situation where your senses are acutely aware of everything. But maintaining everyone’s safety on the scene is the most important thing, and losing your composure would make this procedure much more challenging.
There are some things you can follow after a car accident in India:
1. STOP the Car
When you are involved in a car accident, you must first stop at the scene as this is a legal obligation to follow. Even if the accident is a minor one, do not run away from the accident spot as doing so may lead to legal proceedings against you. Moreover, try to remain as calm as possible and avoid any irrational argument with the other driver.
2. Look Out for Any Injury
The next thing you need to do is to check whether any one is seriously injured in the accident. Make sure to first examine yourself for any injury and look out for others. Assess the level of injury of the people who were involved in the accident. Also, assess whether any third party has sustained an injury so that you can claim the payable compensation amount under third party car insurance.
3. Get Medical Help
In case of minor injuries, you can provide first aid to the injured as soon as possible. Your car comes with a basic first aid kit that you can use for minor injuries. If anyone is seriously injured or non-responsive, call up an ambulance immediately. Make sure to look after your body as well and seek medical advice if necessary.
4. Intimate Your Insurance Company
After you have taken care of the injured, it’s time to inform your insurance company about the accident. Immediately call the insurance company whose car insurance policy you have purchased and inform them about the accident so that a claim can be registered at the earliest. Give them detailed information about the own damages sustained by your car as well as third party damages if any. Make sure to give every single piece of information honestly as giving any wrong information may lead to claim rejection.
5. File a Police FIR
To avoid any legal complications, inform the police about the car accident as soon as possible. You will also be required to file a First Information Report (FIR) in case of a third party car insurance claim settlement process. Also, make sure to keep a copy of the Police FIR that you can submit to the insurance company during the car insurance claim process.
6. Take Pictures
Take photos of the damages caused at the place of the accident for the insurance company to get a clearer picture. Click pictures of the damages sustained by the insured car, third party property damages as well as the accident spot. Make sure that the photos are clear and have been taken from all angles so that the damages are clearly visible in the pictures. Doing so ensures that the claim is settled without much hassle.
7. Submit Documents
Once you have reported the incident, you will be required to submit a few documents to file a claim under your car accident policy. The documents that are required in case of a car accident are:
A copy of the valid driving license A copy of the Police FIR Copy of car registration certificate (RC) Copy of car insurance papers Repair estimates
Make sure to keep all these documents handy and submit them when required for a faster car insurance claim settlement.
8. Get Your Car Repaired
Before proceeding with the actual repairs, the insurance company may send a surveyor who will estimate the extent of repairs required by the insured car. After this, you can get your car repaired in the authorized network garage of the insured company. The towing facility for the damaged car will be provided by the insurance company itself. You can also get your car repaired at a non-authorized garage and raise a reimbursement claim with your insurer.
9. Car Insurance Claim Settlement
Once the repairs of your car are complete, your insurance company will settle the insurance claim with the network garage in case of a cashless claim settlement process. If you have got your car repaired in a non- network garage, the insurance company will reimburse you the entire claim amount after the repairs are done. However, make sure to keep all the repair bills and payment receipts with you for an easy claim reimbursement process.
10. Be Prepared for Any Adversity on Road
A road accident can come unannounced and therefore, it is always better to be prepared for any adversity while driving. Make sure to follow all the traffic rules properly, adhere to the speed limit, and not drink & drive as most road accidents happen due to these reasons only. Moreover, keep copies of all the necessary documents like your motor insurance papers, driving license, registration certificate etc, with you whatever you are driving on the road.
Car accidents can be distressing but if you know how to deal with them, you can save yourself from heavy repair expenditure. But that’s only possible if you insure your vehicle with a car insurance policy. Although purchasing at least a third party car insurance policy is mandatory, you can opt for a comprehensive policy to cover your car as well as third party liabilities in case of a car accident.
FAQs
Q1. What should I do immediately after a car accident in India?
A1. After ensuring everyone’s safety, it’s crucial to stop at the scene, check for injuries, provide first aid if necessary, inform the authorities and your insurance company, file a police FIR, take pictures of the damages, and collect necessary documents for insurance claim settlement.
Q2. When should I contact my insurance company after a car accident?
A2. It’s essential to inform your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible, ideally immediately after ensuring everyone’s safety at the accident scene. Prompt reporting ensures a smoother claim settlement process.
Q3. What documents do I need to submit for a car insurance claim in India?
A3. You will typically need to submit documents such as a copy of your valid driving license, Police FIR, car registration certificate (RC), car insurance papers, and repair estimates to file a claim under your car insurance policy.
Q4. Can I get my car repaired at a non-network garage after an accident?
A4. Yes, you can choose to get your car repaired at a non-network garage, but you’ll need to pay for the repairs upfront. You can then raise a reimbursement claim with your insurer by submitting the repair bills and payment receipts.
Q5. How long does it take for a car insurance claim to be settled after an accident?
A5. The time taken for claim settlement can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, documentation, and insurer’s processes. Typically, it can take a few days to a few weeks for the claim to be settled.
Q6. What should I do if the other party involved in the accident doesn’t have insurance?
A6. In case the other party involved in the accident doesn’t have insurance, you can still file a claim under your own insurance policy, provided you have comprehensive coverage. Alternatively, you may have to explore legal options for compensation.
