(NAPS) With so many people on the road during peak vacation months, it may be a good time to brush up on what you should do in the event you are involved in a crash.
Preparedness starts before you leave the driveway:
Put a disposable camera, pen and paper in your glove box. Car insurance claims can be settled faster if there is a good record of what happened. If you can take photographs or collect license plate numbers, or even names and phone numbers of witnesses, these can all help you establish facts faster.
If you are involved in a crash, Kentucky law officials will tell you when to move your vehicle. Until then:
Turn on your flashers or your lights. You want to be certain your vehicle is visible to other drivers.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If someone is injured call 911 immediately.
Call local police to report the crash.
Call you insurance company to report the crash; then call your local agent. The earlier your insurance company knows about the crash, the faster it can get to work for you to resolve your claim.
Start documenting what happened, if you can do so safely. Take photographs, make notes, ask witnesses for names and phone numbers. If you are not able to collect this information safely, stand as far from the roadway--and the crashed cars --as you possibly can.
Exchange only your insurance company name. Don't discuss the details of your coverage with anyone at the accident scene.
Exchange vital information with the other driver(s). Names, addresses, phone numbers are all useful to help your insurance company in settling the claims.
