Be it your fault or not what exactly should you do when you come out of an accident besides getting the other party's driver's license, insurance info??? I find my friends calling me everytime they get into an accident an asking what to do... just hope I'm giving them the right info...

 

take pictures of the damage, call the police if neccessary, and talk to witnesses. if its a minor accident i guess trading insurance info and driver's licence is enough.

 

Call 911 if necessary and check on people. Other than that, take lots of pictures before anything moves, get the other peoples' licenses and insurance, call your insurance, write down anything you can remember for your own personal use later, and never ever admit any guilt even if you know damn well you are at fault.

 

If nobody saw you cause the accident, leave the scene immediately, dump the car in a side street and report it stolen first thing the following morning!!

 

I actually know someone who did this. He hit a parked car (put trunk into middle of it) and fled. Got about 5 blocks away and ditched his car. Called another friend and that guy came and picked him up. Went home, next day called the police (who had already called his house because someone reported the accident). I still can't believe it but he actually got away with it. I lost alot of faith in the Police departments ability to solve half-assed crime cover ups.

 

If the accident is not your fault and your driving a beater then:
1. Get their insurance and Driver info
2. Offer settlement outside of insurance
3. Collect money, drive damaged car and fix at your convenience
4. If injuries, call police, claim medical bills and future follow ups

If the accident is your fault
1. Get insurance and Driver info
2. Offer settlement outside of insurance
3. Pay money, drive damaged car and fix at your convenience
4. If injuries, call police and inform insurance
5. Take pictures

If the accident is not your fault and your driving your S:
1. Collect insurance and Driver info
2. Take pictures
3. If injuries, call police, claim medical bills and future follow ups
4. Inform insurance company

If the accident is your fault and your driving your S:
1. Collect insurance and Driver info
2. Take pictures
3. If injuries, call police
4. Inform insurance company

 

Just curious... Why expose yourself to potential headaches and increased financial risks if you are already paying for insurance?

 

Always always always get a police report when you're not at fault, even for the smallest fender bender (we all know that a fender bender nowadays can mean an easy $1K in repairs). People always act nice at the scene and then transform into total irresponsible a$$holes when you try to resolve the issue later on. You still can opt to resolve it without getting the insurance companies involved, but if the party at fault refuses to pay and you need to take him to court or go after his insurance company then you better have a police report.

 

This is dependant on the amount of your deductable or which state you live. Some states have a "NO FAULT" insurance policy which screws both parties first, then compensates the one in the right.

Depending on the deductable and the given situation, offering cash settlement may be less than your deductable. If they are driving a beater, they may also opt for this option.

If the damage is say $500 dollars and the deductable is $500 then they will essentially have to pay for their own fix anyway. So they will take the money up front and not go through insurance.

Just a couple of options but depends as each situation is different.

 

[QUOTE=SIIK2NR,Nov 29 2005, 01:17 PM] If the damage is say $500 dollars and the deductable is $500 then they will essentially have to pay for their own fix anyway.