Getting Into A Motor Vehicle Accident During A Cross-Country Move
Getting into a motor vehicle accident is one thing. Getting into a motor vehicle accident while on a cross-country move is another thing. For the most part, an accident action plan in this situation is mostly the same as getting into any other accident within state. However, there are some minor tweaks essential to properly dealing with the incident and getting on with the move.
Keep Emergency Kit Materials in the Car
Besides a cell phone, drivers should also keep the following in their car: a pen and paper, a card that has medical information of any conditions or allergies, disposable camera, a list of law enforcement contacts, and a flashlight. In the trunk, they may want to have a set ofroad-side cones, emergency flares, and warning triangles.
Call the Police
Once the accident occurred, all drivers should call the police for assistance. They will come in handy for filing a report to help all of the drivers’ claims to their insurance companies as well as help exchange each person’s information.
Keep Safety First
If you are in a minor incident in which no one is seriously injured, involved parties should move vehicles to the shoulder of the road to not disrupt traffic and avoid another accident. However, if any one of the vehicles cannot be moved, both drivers and all passengers should remain in their cars with seatbelts on until help arrives. All drivers should turn their hazard lights on.
Exchange Information
After the accident, drivers should exchange the appropriate personal information of the other drivers, passengers, and the owner of the other cars. They should record their name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver’s license number, license plate number. If the driver’s name is different from the name of the insured, they should record what their relationship to each other is and write down the name and address of each individual. In addition, they should write a description of each car by finding out the year, color, model, and make. It will also be helpful to record where the incident occurred and how it happened. Even though it is a stressful situation, drivers should not blame one another and should try to be agreeable.
Photograph and Document the Accident
Drivers should keep records of the damage to each vehicles involved with a disposable camera, making sure the photos show the overall details of the accident. This will help support their case to a claims adjuster. They should try to get the contact information of any witnesses that may be able to help if the other drivers dispute a version of what occurred.
Accident Reports
Normally drivers should file a state vehicle accident report to help insurance companies process the claims more quickly. If the accident occurred in the driver’s home state, they need to call their insurance company. The claim will be based on the laws of that state. However, if their car is insured under their new home state, their car will have to go to the new state regardless of where the accident occurred. Their insurance company will file a claim according to the new state’s laws. When you obtain a police report, it often speeds up the claim process for the insurance company, so all drivers should make sure a claim is filed.
Know What Insurance Covers
The driver should understand the details of coverage to make the process less stressful. If their insurance policy does not cover certain costs, it is important for them to know what they are getting into before asking for any sort of assistance.
Get a Property Damage Valuation
Drivers can get a damage valuation from their insurance companies. Drivers can also get independent repair estimates or replacement quotes and inform their insurance companies of their concerns if they’re not satisfied with their damage valuation. If neither party can come to an agreement, drivers should consider mediation or calling an attorney.
Discuss Incident With Caution
Drivers should only talk about the accident with their lawyers, insurance company, and the police. If a representative from another insurance company asks about the incident, the driver can refer them to their lawyer or insurer to make an interview. The driver should let their insurer or lawyer know about the inquiry. Unless agreed upon with the driver’s insurer or lawyer, the driver should not talk to representatives of the other driver’s insurance company.
Approach Early Settlements with Caution
Some damages do not reach their full force until much later. From days to months, the period of noticing damages or feeling their full impact can vary. Drivers should settle for a claim only when they know the other part will compensate all injuries and after the driver has consulted an attorney. In the case of moving cross-country, there may be property damages. Drivers should inspect their belongings thoroughly. If there is anything damaged, they should get a quote for replacement or repair. If an individual’s case is successful and they will be receiving compensation for a replacement item, the defendant will only pay the current market price of a damaged item. They will not pay how much the item cost the other.
