Car Accident Checklist

Accident situations are stressful and confusing. If you are involved in an accident, you may be upset and possibly injured. Others in your car or in the other car may also be injured, angry or confused. You will be called upon to react quickly to an unfamiliar situation at a time when you may not be able to do your best thinking.

Download and print this auto accident checklist in case you are involved in an accident. This checklist requires the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. If you don’t already have it, download it here.

Download our Accident Checklist

1. Be Prepared

Items and information that should be readily accessible in your car:

be-prepared

  • Driver’s license. Carry it with you on your person, whenever you operate a vehicle.
  • Vehicle registration. You are required by law to have this in the car at all times.
  • Insurance documentation, including your carrier, policy number, and the phone number to call in case of an emergency.
  • A flashlight
  • A disposable camera or camera phone so that you can take photos of damages and the accident scene.
  • A mobile/cell phone
  • First Aid Kit, water, flare, flat fix-it kit, etc.
  • Auto accident information form (see below) to record notes and information about the accident.
    Paper and pencil to exchange contact information with the other driver.

2. At the Accident Scene

  • Try to remain calm! Take a few deep breaths.
  • Stop your car – whether the accident involves a pedestrian, a moving car, a parked car or someone’s property. If you drive away, you could be charged with “hit and run” and the penalties are severe.
  • If you are blocking traffic in a dangerous place, pull off to the side of the road or into a well-lit parking lot.
  • Turn off your vehicle’s engine and either wait for assistance or, if it is safe, step out of your car.

    • at-the-car-accidentAre you or your passengers injured? Check and seek medical assistance immediately if necessary. Use your cell phone to call 911 (Emergency) and ask for an ambulance if you believe you or your passengers need medical attention.

  • Be courteous and tactful to all parties.
  • If you suspect the other driver may be drunk, do not confront him or her. Tell the police and let them handle the situation.
  • Make sure your thoughts are clear before you make any statements to the police.
  • Avoid making statements about responsibility to the other driver, witnesses, police or anyone else. Don’t accept fault, even if you believe the accident may have been your fault.
  • Do not contact your insurance company until you have your thoughts clear and have gathered all the pertinent accident information. Once you and your vehicle are at 911 Collision Centers we will be glad to help you submit your insurance claim.
  • If you are able, take pictures (preferably digital) of the damage to your car, the other car and the area of the accident. Don’t forget your phone may act as a camera. If you are unable to take pictures, once you arrive at 911 Collision we would be glad to provide digital pictures of your damaged car.
  • Assist the police with their official report. Get a copy of the report.
  • Call 911 Collision Centers in Tucson at 520-903-9119, Scottsdale at 480-609-9119 or in Las Vegas at 702-382-9119 for assistance with FREE towing, insurance claims reporting, rental car assistance, and repairs to your vehicle.

3. After the Accident

Dealing with damage to your vehicle:

after-car-accident

  • Do not drive your car if it is unsafe. If you can safely drive your vehicle, bring it to the nearest 911 Collision Centers location as soon as possible.
  • If you cannot drive your car or if you are not sure if it is safely operable, call 911 Collision. 911 Collision can assist you with towing, transporting you and your passengers to safety, handling the insurance claim, renting a car (if necessary), and repairing damages to your car.
  • You are not required by law to obtain three estimates on the damages.
  • You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company or the other drivers insurance cannot require you to go to a particular repair shop.
  • Differences in repair estimates are common. It is your vehicle, you deserve the highest quality repairs. Read the fine print and consider carefully before you accept the lowest repair estimate.

Download our Accident Checklist

VIP Insurance Claims Service

You’ve had an accident, and the last thing you need is another headache trying to settle the insurance claim. 911 Collision Centers will professionally handle your insurance claim for you. That’s right WE call the insurance adjuster and settle your claim. Right NOW!

We’ll arrange for the rental car and get you back on the road as quickly as possible. Frustrated trying to get hold of your insurance company? 911 Collision Centers has all the “back line” telephone numbers to the insurance claims departments. Whether you’re an insured, or a 3rd party claimant we will negotiate and settle your claim for you.

Collision claims, Other Party Insurance Claims, Theft claims: no auto claim is too difficult for our staff to handle. Our team members have decades of experience with insurance companies claims departments. Just give us your policy number or claim number and we’ll take it from there. We act on your behalf and handle everything for you.