Having a traffic accident, even a small one, can definitely be one of the least pleasurable moments of your life. Whether you like it or not, after the car accident you may have to face the reality of filling your car insurance claim in order to resolve the situation. The following tips are specially selected to make your process of drafting and submitting of the claim a bit less stressful:

• The first step you should take prior to any traffic calamities is to make sure you understand your insurance policy very well. Read it carefully and call your insurance company or consult your agent if your have any questions or concerns about it.
• Immediately after a traffic accident, check if any of the people involved have injuries or are in need for medical attention. If so, arrange for the first aid and call the ambulance immediately. If your have any injuries yourself, even minor ones, check out with your doctor to make sure you are OK.
• A road accident requires exchanging of information with other driver(s) involved. Make sure to write down the details of his or her name, phone number, address, and insurance provider. Be ready to supply them with the same information about yourself. It is advisable to always carry the details on your insurance company together with your other documents.
• Make sure you have identified any accident witnesses and asked them to give you their names and contact information, in case their help is needed in the future.
• After the initial stress of the traffic accident is over, draft an accident report and contact a local traffic police officer to have the paper prepared. The report’s instructions can also be found at a sheriff’s office or at the area Department of Motor Vehicles office (or, alternatively, website).
• Immediately after the accident, notify your insurance company (agent) about the fact and details of it. Your insurer will examine the accident report to find out who was responsible for it. If it was not you who caused the accident, either yours, or the at-fault driver’s insurer will have to take steps to replace or repair your car.
• Release insurers only after you have made sure that all the damages are solved to your satisfaction, be it bodily injuries, vehicle damages, or appraisal clauses.

Robert Douglas