Your First Fender Bender | What You Need to Know

Nov 19, 2015

It’s very scary being in an accident, both large and small. And whether it is a major accident or a simple fender-bender, the first time you have that experience it can be overwhelming. However, you have to know what to do and how to handle the situation. It can be very overwhelming to experience your first minor accident, but here’s a guide to better prepare yourself with what you need to know.

Pull to the Side

If you are in a fender-bender, there should be no major damage to the cars involved. In this case, you need to pull to the side and clear the road so that other cars can get by. Plus, by pulling to the side you are both protecting yourself and other drivers from potentially turning a small accident into a larger one. This gives you a safe place to collect all the information needed.

Call 911

You may ask yourself why you need to call 911 when no one is hurt and nothing major seems to be wrong. However, you need to protect yourself and have an authority figure document the accident. Sometimes, additional insurance claims are made by the other party involved, and you need to have a third-party to be able to defend you and show that their claim is invalid. So make sure you get a copy of the police report.

Exchange Insurance Information

Whether the accident is your fault of the other party’s fault, both parties need to supply their insurance information. When you call your insurance agent to report the accident, one of the first things he or she will ask for is the name of the other party and his or her insurance information. Your insurance agent either needs to know who to pay or who to contact to collect.

Take Pictures

They say, “Pictures are worth a thousand words,” and in the case of an accident, they are probably worth more. You may not have a camera with you, but you are more than likely to have your cell phone, so use it to take pictures of both the damage to your car, as well as the damage to any other car involved. Take pictures of all four sides, this way you can easily prove the damage that was caused by the accident.

Get Estimates

Once you are home, calmed down, and the accident is reported, you need to begin the process of getting your vehicle repaired. Your insurance agency may give you names of companies they work with, or you may have to make calls and inquire. Call around and get a couple of different estimates. Then, before you take your car in to get repaired, be sure you have approval from your insurance company; you don’t want to have to pay more out-of-pocket than your deductible.

Yes, accidents are scary, but if you know what to do and how to handle the situation you can remain calm and thoroughly take care of business.

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