Most people do not expect to be in an auto accident that day, however being prepared is a great way to know what to do if an auto accident does happen to you or a loved one.

  1. Safety First

Remain calm

  • Is everyone OK in your vehicle?
  • Are you in a safe place? If not, move your vehicle to safety
  • Once you, your passengers, and your vehicle are in a safe place, check on the safety of others
  • Call 911 if anyone is injured
  • If the other driver is being threatening or shows signs of intoxication – call 911
  1. Call the Police

We have seen enough poor character from the general public that it is worth getting an official Police accident report.  The Police will help properly record the events of the accident, give accountability, and remain objective.

Give an accurate record of what happened.  If you do not know certain facts do not speculate or guess.  If you do not know whether you are injured or not, say that you are unsure, rather than no.

If your vehicle is not drive-able, use the roadside assistance card with your insurance or ask the Police Officer who may assist.  In the event the Police will not come out (ex. accident happened on private property) go to #3.

  1. Collect Information

This is not the time to admit fault or to make or get promises.  It is the duty and the right of your insurance carrier to defend you according to your legal obligations.  This is the time to collect as much information as you can.

  • Write down where the accident occurred
  • Take photos of the accident, your vehicle, and the other vehicle
  • Get other vehicle license plate and VIN
  • Get other driver’s full name, address, license number, and phone number
  • Get insurance name and policy number of other vehicle
  • Get police report number
  • If witnesses, get their contact information
  • Want a nice form for your glove box?
  1. Report the Accident

Talk with your insurance company as soon as possible. They will help you know what next steps you need to take to restoring your life.  Timely reporting and cooperation are important to help assist all parties in moving forward.

If you do not understand what coverages you have or would like advice on your claim give your insurance agent a call.

Jeremy Hyde | Colligan & Company

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About the Author: Jeremy Hyde

Christian, MK/PK, Brother, Husband of a magnificent wife, Father of three sons and two daughters, Insurance dork, Sports and Racing fan, Competitor, Coach, Early riser, Grill-man, Yearner of sand dunes and Lake Michigan, Owner of a Yorkie named Gerald, Wannabe basketball player, Reluctant handyman, Car enthusiast, Admirer of passion and excellence and design...

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90 Comments

  1. Andy Comment February 15, 2020 at 8:36 pm - Reply

    Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! This will help me with my car insurance claim :)

  2. Sarah B February 20, 2020 at 12:59 pm - Reply

    Thank you for your help on knowing what to do after a car accident. God bless

  3. Bill Store February 21, 2020 at 1:37 pm - Reply

    Good info on car insurance claims

  4. Ryan Speith March 6, 2020 at 9:22 pm - Reply

    It’s hard to remember all this in a car accident. Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and thank you for the help! Keep up the excellent insurance work!

  5. Ben March 17, 2020 at 9:55 am - Reply

    Car insurance is complicated. This helps a little, but I think I’d just as much call my agent to help me too

  6. Adelanne Eddon March 30, 2020 at 10:57 pm - Reply

    I’ve been in a car accident and it’s kind of scary to know what to do especially when it is serious

  7. Jamie April 24, 2020 at 2:37 am - Reply

    Getting in an auto accident is kind of other worldly. Thanks for this guide.

  8. Clark Wellington May 7, 2020 at 4:20 pm - Reply

    This article gives us suggestions on auto accidents and it gives us true and clear details about it. I like the way they have researched and presented it in front of us. I love this blog; please keep updated us with such information.

  9. South Auckland May 8, 2020 at 11:37 am - Reply

    I had an auto accident and it’s a difficult process to get everything done. Thank you!

  10. Leslie Ackermann May 30, 2020 at 8:37 pm - Reply

    Good blog post, it’s honestly scary when you have a car accident and it’s really scary if you don’t know what you should do. Thanks for the guidance because car insurance does not solve all the issues when you have a wreck.

  11. Floyd June 24, 2020 at 1:22 am - Reply

    Its better to know what to do BEFORE you get in a car accident. Thanks for the guide and will help me with my insurance claim too

  12. Frank Hansrote July 10, 2020 at 1:32 pm - Reply

    Better to be prepared than not to know what to do, thanks Jeremy

  13. Casey Beem July 16, 2020 at 12:23 pm - Reply

    It’s nice to get some advice before I get in an accident…hopefully I never do though! :)

  14. Ben September 7, 2020 at 1:52 am - Reply

    Insurance sucks but then you have an accident and you realize the great need for it.

  15. Chelsea News September 7, 2020 at 8:55 pm - Reply

    It’s scary but noone should be unprepared

  16. Phil November 4, 2020 at 3:19 pm - Reply

    I bet a lot of people mess because they don’t know what to do.

  17. Luke December 17, 2020 at 7:18 pm - Reply

    I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work. Luke

  18. Janetta January 12, 2021 at 8:45 am - Reply

    Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article post. Thanks Again. Really Cool. Janetta Ethelbert Agace

  19. Sarah January 31, 2021 at 11:25 pm - Reply

    I found your agency on google, thanks for the info, I might be calling…

  20. Debroa February 1, 2021 at 4:13 am - Reply

    These are actually impressive ideas in regarding blogging. You have touched some good factors here. Any way keep up writing.| Debora Falkner True

  21. Phyllis February 9, 2021 at 12:14 am - Reply

    I hate accidents, it’s just a big pain

  22. Jeremy Weathers February 9, 2021 at 4:38 pm - Reply

    It can be confusing on what to do, this helps me

  23. Quinn February 10, 2021 at 11:09 pm - Reply

    Auto accidents can be the pits

  24. Sarai February 11, 2021 at 12:55 am - Reply

    Its confusing and messed up on how some people get out of accidents by lying to the cops

  25. Larry February 14, 2021 at 7:05 am - Reply

    With how much snow we have going right now, its a good idea to know what to do in an accident

  26. Vince February 16, 2021 at 4:41 am - Reply

    Generally I don’t read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, very great post.

  27. Andrew February 16, 2021 at 11:16 am - Reply

    It’s scary to know what to do after an accident, thanks for the info

  28. Fred February 17, 2021 at 1:26 am - Reply

    Car accidents can be scary, why not pay attention to this. Good advice

  29. Jarius February 17, 2021 at 3:15 pm - Reply

    Snow and ice happen and it’s out of your control sometimes, better be prepared

  30. Glo February 23, 2021 at 11:35 am - Reply

    great idea and blog. insurance is something people need to know about

  31. Lilly February 27, 2021 at 10:28 pm - Reply

    Accidents can be scary, best be ready for that time

  32. Lisa C March 3, 2021 at 1:52 pm - Reply

    You guys know what you are doing in the property and casualty arena. Thanks

  33. Judy C March 3, 2021 at 7:57 pm - Reply

    I was in an accident in Michgian, terrible experience

  34. Paul C March 4, 2021 at 10:35 am - Reply

    good info, thanks for the blog

  35. Jason March 6, 2021 at 3:29 am - Reply

    Accidents can be confusing and scary let alone if you get injured

  36. Dennis March 6, 2021 at 4:26 am - Reply

    Better to know before it happens

  37. Whitney March 6, 2021 at 6:42 am - Reply

    My sister got in an accident, freaked so much she drove away, then nearly went to jail

  38. Karen March 7, 2021 at 6:46 am - Reply

    Thanks for the insurance wisdom

  39. Andy March 7, 2021 at 2:11 pm - Reply

    I’ve been a sheriff for 31 years and I’ve seen it all. It would help if folks knew what to do when they got in an accident

  40. Larry March 7, 2021 at 2:25 pm - Reply

    I think it’s really important that people get the police involved, there are a lot of bad situations that can happen if they are not.

  41. Matt March 7, 2021 at 7:47 pm - Reply

    insurance can be frustrating

  42. Mary March 7, 2021 at 9:26 pm - Reply

    Accidents are the pits, lawyer up!

  43. Kia March 8, 2021 at 3:14 am - Reply

    Accidents can be hectic, good work

  44. Jason C March 8, 2021 at 10:23 am - Reply

    Thanks for the info,

  45. Mandy Samsom March 8, 2021 at 10:29 am - Reply

    There’s a lot of good info on your agency website. Good job

  46. Mia March 8, 2021 at 3:28 pm - Reply

    Good info, thank you!

  47. Date March 8, 2021 at 4:44 pm - Reply

    Accidents can be a scary situation, lawyers, legal issues…

  48. Pat March 8, 2021 at 5:01 pm - Reply

    I’m glad you wrote about this subject, a lot of people could benefit in knowing what do it

  49. Lisa March 8, 2021 at 5:08 pm - Reply

    Good stuff on car insurance

  50. Paula March 8, 2021 at 7:08 pm - Reply

    I bet lawyers hop all over the errors people make

  51. Lisa March 8, 2021 at 9:13 pm - Reply

    Thank you, good insurance blog

  52. Amy March 8, 2021 at 10:32 pm - Reply

    Good insurance stuff on what to do

  53. Jason March 9, 2021 at 12:47 am - Reply

    Car insurance is needed, but so are the brains to know what to do if you get in an accident

  54. Helio March 9, 2021 at 2:55 am - Reply

    I was wondering about who to call and what to do. Thanks

  55. Oscar March 9, 2021 at 8:22 am - Reply

    Better to know what to do better it happens

  56. Edgar March 9, 2021 at 1:52 pm - Reply

    What do you do in these situations, tough stuff

  57. Mark March 12, 2021 at 11:10 am - Reply

    This is good info to have for car accidents

  58. Erin March 12, 2021 at 2:33 pm - Reply

    Run! jk

  59. Lisa March 13, 2021 at 1:29 am - Reply

    I’m going to print this article and put it in my car :)

  60. Carl March 15, 2021 at 11:02 pm - Reply

    Auto claims are the pits

  61. Ben March 16, 2021 at 12:55 am - Reply

    Thanks for the insurance guide

  62. Amy March 16, 2021 at 12:57 am - Reply

    Auto insurance is more than a push of the button people

  63. Dave March 16, 2021 at 3:27 am - Reply

    Car accidents can get complicated, take notes

  64. Jason March 16, 2021 at 9:53 am - Reply

    This is a simple guide, thanks

  65. Lisa March 16, 2021 at 10:39 am - Reply

    Always do your best to be aware of your surroundings

  66. Wilson March 16, 2021 at 1:10 pm - Reply

    Attorneys and agents alike would agree on this subject

  67. Judy March 16, 2021 at 5:16 pm - Reply

    My daughter got in an accident and had no idea what to do, glad I found this article

  68. Corine Harris March 25, 2021 at 10:42 am - Reply

    Crime is a common thing in our life. We cannot ignore it. But we can reduce the losses that can help us to protect ourselves.

  69. Candance March 30, 2021 at 2:48 am - Reply

    Auto insurance is for the accidents!

  70. Jerry April 14, 2021 at 6:03 pm - Reply

    Good to know what to do in an auto accident

  71. Berkie W May 5, 2021 at 7:40 am - Reply

    Never been in a car accident, but good to know

  72. Otter May 13, 2021 at 3:22 am - Reply

    Food for thought, good insurance blog

  73. Mark May 13, 2021 at 4:22 am - Reply

    I was in a scary one this year, hard to think straight in the moment

  74. Amy May 13, 2021 at 5:27 am - Reply

    Good to know what to do after an accident

  75. Iris May 26, 2021 at 12:53 am - Reply

    Thanks for your insurance blog

  76. Gary June 4, 2021 at 4:31 am - Reply

    I can be scary, good auto crash information

  77. Wanda July 5, 2021 at 11:55 pm - Reply

    Thank you, good info to have after an accident

  78. Al July 20, 2021 at 10:49 pm - Reply

    good car accident info, better have good insurance

  79. Tim October 1, 2021 at 10:31 am - Reply

    Kind of hard to think of what to do on the spot, thanks for the accident guide

  80. Isaiah February 5, 2022 at 4:49 pm - Reply

    Thanks for the quick auto accident guide

  81. Thomas June 10, 2022 at 6:57 pm - Reply

    I thought it was interesting when you mentioned that it is a good idea to talk with an insurance company as soon as possible after a car accident. Would it be a good idea to consult with an attorney before you contact an insurance company? I would think that consulting with an attorney would be a good idea because they can make sure that the insurance company gives you everything you need.

  82. Ray June 21, 2022 at 11:44 am - Reply

    Great post helped me to know about. Thanks for sharing a useful post.

  83. Sam July 4, 2022 at 4:17 pm - Reply

    Better to know better than after what to do regarding insurance

  84. Vance July 5, 2022 at 9:59 pm - Reply

    Good info, thank you!

  85. Sam July 10, 2022 at 10:59 am - Reply

    Better to know what to do… scary situations

  86. Randy January 12, 2023 at 9:26 pm - Reply

    Thank you for this post. Nice insurance info

  87. Paula Buffington February 9, 2023 at 6:43 am - Reply

    This article was very helpful! Thank you for answering so many questions. Such a nice and excellent article, we have been looking for this information and this is a great post about auto-accidents.

  88. Ubey February 20, 2023 at 9:36 am - Reply

    The information in this article has helped me to gain a better advice available for auto accidents. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  89. Cynthia April 5, 2023 at 3:02 pm - Reply

    An automobile accident guide can cover a wide range of topics, such as what to do at the scene of the accident, how to exchange information with the other driver, how to file a police report, and how to handle insurance claims. It can also provide tips on how to protect your rights and interests during the process.

  90. Grace June 4, 2023 at 9:25 am - Reply

    I’m glad there are still professionals out there like this

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