What to Do After a Car Accident

Whether minor or major, car accidents can be disorienting, to say the least. It can often be difficult to collect your thoughts and take the many necessary steps after the accident. From how to file a car insurance claim to staying safe, we’ll cover the steps you need to take should you ever have an accident on Princeton streets. Read our helpful guide, and if you have further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Mercedes-Benz of Princeton in Lawrenceville.

Your Checklist for What to Do After a Car Accident

Small Accidents

If you get into a fender bender in greater Hamilton, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you and all of your passengers are ok. If you find anyone in need of medical attention, contact an ambulance immediately.
2. Pull over to a safe spot. For insurance purposes, however, make sure that you don’t stray more than a few feet from the scene of the accident.
3. Dial 911. To protect your insurance claim, and to protect yourself from unjust claims if you’re at fault, it’s best to have the police create a third-party report.
4. Trade contact info. After a report has been made, make sure to trade phone numbers, insurance policy info, and email address with the other party involved. Get a photograph of their driver’s license, license plate number, and insurance card as well. If there are witnesses to the accident, make sure to get their contact info as well.
5. Take detailed photos of any damage to either vehicle. Also, take photos of the surrounding scene of the accident.
6. Then, call your insurance agency to file a car accident insurance claim.

Major Accidents

A major accident is an accident that has resulted in injuries or fatalities. The steps of what to do after a car accident in this one has different steps. Let’s take a look:

• Call for an Ambulance. If you, any of your passengers, or a member of the other party involved are seriously injured, your first priority is to get medical assistance on the scene, stat. In this situation, don’t worry about documenting the scene. Police will attend the ambulance, take pictures, and document the scene in detail for you. When you file a car accident insurance claim later, make sure to reach out to the police for any documentation they created.
• Get in Touch with Your Insurance Agency: Once medical attention has arrived, if you are safe, in stable condition, and calm enough, get in touch with your insurance provider to file a claim. If you are incapacitated, file a claim as soon as you are able, even if someone already filed one on your behalf.
• Follow Up With Your Doctor. If, after you leave the ER, you’re still feeling pain or soreness, see your doctor, so you can be monitored over the coming weeks to ensure no problems arise from injuries sustained during the accident.

How to File a Car Accident Insurance Claim

Now that you know what to do after a car accident, let’s take a closer look at the steps of filing a car accident insurance claim. First, gather the following information:

• Insurance policy number
• Description of accident
• Time, date, and location of incident
• Contact info for other party and any witnesses, as well as insurance info
• Contact info for police department involved
• Police report number if available

Once you’ve gathered this information, call your provider. They’ll send an adjuster over who will value the cost of repairs and coverage and give you a quote for coverage.

Have Questions About What to Do After an Accident?

If you have further questions about best practices following an accident, or you’re unclear about any of the steps of how to file a car accident insurance claim, call Mercedes-Benz of Princeton at (609) 771-8040 for help near Mercer County. If you have other questions, be sure to explore our service tips for other helpful guides, including our overview of how to get in touch with Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance and our overview of what to do when you get a flat tire.