Learning to drive is nerve-wracking enough (or if you have a family member who is learning to drive) without bringing accidents into the mix. The number of places to look and things to keep track of can be overwhelming at first, and the thought of getting into an accident amidst all this probably makes you want to cry. But it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself in an accident while in the process of getting your driver’s license.
What to Do After An Accident
Any time you are involved in a car accident, there is a basic process to follow that you need to be aware of when you start driving.
Get yourself to safety
If your car is still drivable, you should maneuver it out of the roadway and onto the side of the road, where you and your passengers will be out of the path of other drivers. This may not always be possible, but if you’re able to get your car to a safe place, you can protect not only yourself and your car from further harm, but also unsuspecting drivers who may be approaching the scene of your accident.
Check for injuries
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries — and if you only have a learner’s permit, you should always have an adult with a valid license in the car with you. If it’s safe to do so, check on the occupants of any other cars that may have been involved. If anyone is injured or non-responsive, call 911 immediately for medical assistance.
Report the accident
You will need to notify the police so an officer can come and investigate the scene. This is an important step to document the circumstances of the accident. The officer will fill out an accident report, which you will probably need if you file an insurance claim, so ask how you can get a copy.
Exchange information with any other drivers
If any other cars were involved, you need to collect as much information as you can. It’s particularly important to get the other driver’s name and contact information, insurance information including policy number, driver’s license and license plate number, and a description of their vehicle. Don’t discuss the accident itself with the other driver, as you don’t want to say anything that could be construed as admitting fault. Just get the information you need.
Document the accident
Take photos showing the damage to both cars from multiple angles. It’s also helpful to take pictures of or write down any other information you might need to save, like the other driver’s license and insurance information, their license plate, the make and model of their car, and the names of any police officers or witnesses present. Remember you can’t come back for information later, so get everything you need now.
Notify your insurance company
An agent will be able to help guide you through the process of an insurance claim and make sure you get all the information you need to file it correctly and thoroughly.
Who is Responsible?
If the other driver is responsible for your accident, it may be a traumatic experience, but what you need to do is relatively simple. You’ll just need to follow the standard procedure for any car accident, and your insurance company should take care of most of the process for you. They’ll let you know what you need to do to complete a claim and get your car repaired. If you were injured, you can check an injury trial lawyer to get information and contact a personal injury attorney in San Diego.
If you are found to be at fault for the accident, things may get a little more complicated and messy. Hopefully there were no serious injuries, but if there were then you could have a lot more problems to deal with. This is because your insurance (or whoever is the owner of the car, if it’s not you) will be responsible for paying any insurance claims brought by the other party. You may be found financially and legally responsible for injuries and medical bills that aren’t covered by your insurance. In addition, if you are a student driver taking a driver’s education course, for example, the other party may be able to sue your driving instructor or the driver school for negligence and damages they incurred.
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