Car Accident Settlements Checklist: Important Steps to Take at Crash Site

To increase your car accident settlements, there are several steps you
should take at the crash scene. By following these steps, you can pay
for your vehicle damages, accident injuries, medical bills and
miscellaneous related expenses.

The first thing you need to do is:

*Be Calm*

This is simple but really essential.

You were just in an auto accident and your adrenaline is high. Become
irritated and screaming at the other car driver is really not going to
fix your vehicle or make you less responsible for the crash.

Don't dispute with the other driver. The damage is done. Direct your
attention to what needs to be done next, which is....

*Call the Police*

Immediately after an accident you should call 911 and inform them you
were involved in a collision. Tell them the place that the accident
happened and if you need an ambulance.

*Get Other Car Driver's Information*

To get compensated for your damages, you will need to get the other
driver's information.

Go to the other driver and write down the following details:

*Name and Driver's License Number

*Car License Plate Number

*Name of Auto Insurance Company and Insurance Policy Number

You should always confirm the insurance policy isn't expired. If the
name on the insurance policy does not match the car driver's, ask for
insurance policy holder's name and direct contact information.

You'll use this important information to contact the other driver's
insurance company and begin an auto accident claim.

Once you have all the driver's information you should...

*Take Photos and Notes*

You should use your cell phone or digital camera to take lots of
pictures of the car accident location. In addition, you should make
quick notes about how the accident occurred. As time goes on, your
memory about the accident will fade. You want to record as much
important information as possible in case you leave out a critical
detail. Try to put in writing as many details as you can remember.

For example, at what time did the car crash occur, where were you
driving to, how fast you were going etc.

You can then use this information later to explain to the police and
insurance companies how your car accident happened.

The next thing you should do is...

*Locate Witnesses*

Finding people who saw the car wreck happen can validate your story.
Talk to the people at the auto accident scene. Ask them if they saw
how the accident happened. If they are prepared to help you out, make
note of their names and direct contact information.

*Speak with the Police*

When the police arrive, they will take you and other car driver to one
side to ask questions about the accident.

Once the police have talked to everyone they will file an accident
report. This report will contain important information about the
accident that you can later use in your car insurance claim.

For example, the report will describe how the accident happened, a
description of the road conditions, traffic violations, names of
witnesses etc. You should get the officers badge number and ask them
when can you get a copy of the car accident report.

*Call the Insurance Company*

Once everything is sorted at the accident scene you will need to
contact the insurance companies. Call your insurance company first and
let them know about your car accident. Then if you feel the other car
owner was to blame, call the other driver's insurance company to start
a claim against them.

*Start Your Car Accident Claim*

After you have started your accident claim, you will have to begin
gathering and documenting critical information that will help get you
get compensated for any car damages and personal injuries.

If you want more money [1] from the insurance companies, you have to
reduce how much responsibility you get for the car accident. The less
fault you get, the more money [2] you can get from your auto insurance
claims.

Read *How To Start Your Auto Insurance Claims the Right Way* at
http://www.after-car-accidents.com/auto-accident-settlement.html

Read *Helpful Tips about for Car Insurance Claims* at
http://www.after-car-accidents.com

Asif L Shaikh offers expert advice on how to deal with car insurance
claims and personal injury settlements.

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Links:
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[1] http://caraccidentsus.info/tag/money/
[2] http://caraccidentsus.info/tag/money/
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[4] http://www.webmagnates.org