What to Do (and Avoid Doing) After a Car Accident

A car accident can happen to anyone—even the lives of James Dean, Princess Diana, and Paul Walker tragically ended because of it. And the Beatles even made a song about it. The classic track, titled "A Day in the Life," is considered by many as the band's greatest song of all time. John Lennon composed it after Tara Browne, heir to the Guinness dry stout (beer) empire, died in a car crash.

Note that we're not here to romanticize vehicle accidents. The point we're driving here is that these unfortunate accidents can happen to anyone. And when they happen, the question is: Do you know what to do (or not do) next? 

DO’s

Figuring in a car accident can take you by surprise, but there are ways you can lessen the damage and steer the odds back in your favor. Here are some steps you can take:

Step One: Stay on the Scene

Don’t leave the scene unless you really need to. Otherwise, you might be slapped with a hit-and-run violation.

It’s also best to let the cars remain where they are, unless the police tells you to move it because they’re obstructing the road. If that’s the case, make sure to take photographs of the “crash scene” and nearby landmarks surrounding it first before you move it some place else.

Of course, this is only possible if your car is still drivable. Otherwise, leave the moving of your car to the authorities.

Step Two: Check yourself (and your passengers) for injuries

Inspect for injuries, wounds, and sharp pains, and do this with all your passengers. Call for medical help when needed—or ask bystanders for assistance if you don’t have a phone with you or the police have not arrived yet.

Step Three: Maintain the safety of other cars on the road

Turn on your emergency hazard lights, and place your reflective warning devices a good 30 meters (50 meters if you're on a highway) away from the cars to give other vehicles ample stopping distance.

Step Four: Call the police

Do this if there are major damages, injury, (or even death) that occurred from the accident. The MMDA’s hotline (1-3-6) is the number to call if you want to ask traffic enforcers/investigators to be present on the scene immediately. And part of their task is to investigate the cause of the accident.

Step Five: Gather and exchange information with the other party

According to the MMDA, you should gather the following information from the other party:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Insurance Company
• Insurance Policy Number
• Driver's License Number
• License Plate Number
• Car Make
• Car Model and Year
• Car Color

You will also need to get the following:

• Name and contact details (including their station) of the attending police officer or investigator who arrived on the scene
• Pictures of the vehicles’ position and the damages involved in the accident. If you can, try to take your own pictures of the car owner with his or her car nearby.

Step Six: Contact your insurance provider

It’s also important to know what your policy covers about the car accident . Here’s a warning: There are some cases where you might actually lose more money if you ask your insurance to cover for your car’s repairs, since there’s a possibility it will increase your insurance premiums in the future.

So in certain cases, you can actually save more money if you’ll just have it repaired yourself. Ask around and make sure to weigh both pros and cons before you make your decision.

Step Seven: Go to your local police department

As soon as you are able, head to the nearest police station and file an accident report. And make sure to bring all your documents (information and pictures you gathered) when you go there. This will help speed up the insurance claims process.

DONT’S

Don't lose your cool

Remember that hot tempers only make things worse. Try to discuss matters in a civilized and respectful manner. This allows for easier and more open communication (and negotiation).

Don’t apologize—or even imply that you’re apologizing

Don’t admit that the accident is your fault. And don’t even apologize before you know the true cause of the accident. Saying “sorry” is almost an admission of guilt, and unscrupulous drivers who want to get as much money from you can use this to their advantage.

Don’t just take the other party’s word for it

There are some cases where the other driver may admit his mistakes and tell this to you verbally. But don’t take their word for it. Let them do so in writing, and make them sign it. It’s so easy to deny something they said, but if they have their signature to back it up, then things become harder to disprove.

Don’t put off getting information to the last minute

Make sure all the details and information have been laid out as early as possible. You often don't know who you're dealing with, and there are a handful with vile intentions right from the start. So even a simple “let me just move my car to prevent obstruction” can be their way to drive away from you fast.

Don’t force the other driver to give you their insurance details

They have the right to refuse if they don’t want to. Still, you can seek out the attending police officer as witness to their refusal.

Don’t do it alone if you lack experience

It’s good to call your family or close friends in case you are a newbie or student driver. They can support you during this time, and watch over your car in case you need to go to the police station.

Don’t rely solely on the police report to tell your side

Not all facts are written correctly; and in some cases, the investigator or police officer might make mistakes while transcribing what you’re saying. So it’s always best to rely on the information you’ve collected. That way, you still have a backup in case the police report fails you.

Don’t forget to collect proof along the way

Keep track of your medical bills, medication and treatments you will receive after the accident. Request for medical reports, and use them as proof of your medical expenses later on.

On that note, remember to keep track of all the bills involved in repairing and servicing your car. Xerox copies of them as back-up, or take a picture of them using your mobile phone, since some receipts fade over time.

Updated on August 18, 2020

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