Car Accident Procedures

November 18, 2009 - 6:00pm

During the upcoming holidays, you will probably be driving more than usual, increasing the likelihood you will be involved in a fender-bender or something more serious.

If it happens to you, what should you do? The answer depends on a lot of factors.

Here to discuss this important issue is WTOP Call For Action Director Shirley Rooker.

Is there such a thing as being prepared for a collision or crash?

You can be prepared by tucking our handy checklist in your glove compartment to be used if needed. However, it will not prepare you for the shock of the accident. That's why it is a good thing to have a checklist to make sure you do the right things.

Are there procedures you should follow?

If there are no bodily injuries, Captain Paul Starks of the Montgomery County Police Department says that both vehicles should be moved out of the roadway to protect the safety of the drivers and passengers, as well as to allow the flow of traffic.

He recommends that you report the accident to the police and exchange pertinent information such as driver's license number, insurance information, address, phone numbers, etc. with the other driver.

Jim Russ, Director of Operations for Metro Networks advises consumers to report the accident and stay at the scene until the police arrive, otherwise you may be cited for leaving the scene of a collision. However, if the police indicate they will not be at the site, it is okay to leave after exchanging information with the other driver.

In the case of bodily injuries, the first thing that should be done is to call 911 and request help. Do not attempt to move the vehicles as there may be an accident investigation after the police arrive. Generally, in the case of injuries, the police will file a collision report.

What else should you do?

Most insurance companies advise customers to call them right away even if it is a minor incident. Other good advice is to sign documents only for the police or the insurance company, and do not state the incident was your fault. If you have a camera or cell phone, use it to take pictures of the scene, the damage, etc. In addition, if there were witnesses, make sure you get their information and in the case of bodily injury that they remain on the scene until the police arrive.

Will police issue citations or investigate the collision?

It depends on the severity of the incident and if a traffic violation can be substantiated by witnesses, the investigation, or the officer's observation of the violation. Generally, the police will complete a report if there is a personal injury, the vehicle cannot be moved or a driver is intoxicated, unlicensed, or leaves the scene.

Officer Tawny Wright of the Fairfax County Police indicated that most of the time, police will show up at the scene regardless of the severity of the collision.

For more information on car accident procedures in Maryland, click here.

CAR ACCIDENT CHECKLIST

Carry in your vehicle: