Minor Car Accident Washington DC

Steps

1. Look for the other driver's license plate number, make, and model. There's a chance that the other driver may drive off, so it's good to immediately look at the back of their car, say their license plate number out loud, and keep repeating it until you can write it down.
2. Call the police. You might be under the impression that the police is called only if it's a major car accident or if somebody's hurt, when in actuality the police should be called no matter how minor the accident, particularly if repairs are going to be needed. The police report will help the insurance companies determine who is responsible for paying.
3. Make sure nobody is hurt. Check yourself and the passengers in your vehicle for any injuries, scratches, bruises or disorientation.
4. Look for witnesses. If the accident happened in sight of a pedestrian, shop, or other drivers, ask them to stay on the scene until the police arrive so that they can provide statements. If possible, get their name and phone number.
5. Exchange information with the other driver. The following information should be exchanged:
   • names, addresses, telephone numbers
   • driver's license numbers
   • each driver's automobile insurance company (including name, address, phone number, and policy number)
6. Tell the police officer exactly what happened. Be specific and don't exaggerate.
7. File a claim with your insurance company.

Tips

• If you're not at fault and your car is damaged, the other driver may try to convince you to not call the police and not file a claim. While it's not uncommon for parties to work something out without police and insurance getting involved, there are no guarantees. If the other person offers to pay for the damages out of pocket, they can just as easily claim the accident never happened, or that it was your fault. Without a police report, you may end up not getting any kind of compensation.
  • If neither of you want your insurance premiums to go up, you may wish to avoid filing a claim, but don't skip the police report.
• These instructions describe how to cover all the bases in the U.S., but the appropriate response will vary based on the country in which it happened.
• States in the U.S. with "No Fault Insurance" mean each party in the accident is responsible for repairing their own vehicle, and if they have comprehensive coverage, the insurance company will pay for the repairs, less the deductible that applies to the individual policy.

Warnings

• Some drivers can be belligerent and offensive in the event of an accident.
• Assess the situation after the accident, so that you are not in danger of being hit by another vehicle while looking at the accident scene.

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