What to do after an accident that is not your fault?

Asked by: Mr. Matt Koch  |  Last update: September 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (22 votes)

What Should You Do After a Car Accident That Wasn't Your Fault?
  1. Right After the Accident: Check for Injuries and Stay Safe.
  2. As Soon As Possible: Call the Police.
  3. While Waiting for Police: Gather Information.
  4. Tell Your Insurance Company.
  5. Get Medical Treatment.
  6. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer.
  7. Be Wary of the Insurance Company.

What happens when you are in a car accident and it is not your fault?

You should absolutely call the police, whether the accident was a minor fender bender or a significant crash. If the accident wasn't your fault, having an official police report will help you hold the other driver accountable for damages and repair costs.

What are 3 things you do immediately after a car accident?

A. STOP Immediately and move only if it is safe to do so.
  1. Call 911 if there are injuries.
  2. Call the police. ...
  3. Obtain names, addresses, telephone numbers, and driver's license numbers from all drivers.
  4. Obtain license plate(s) and vehicle identification numbers.

Do I call my insurance if it's not my fault?

Yes, you should call your insurance company if you were in a car accident that was not your fault. There are two main reasons for this. First, your insurance company may require you to contact them as outlined in your policy.

When someone hits you do you call their insurance or yours?

Despite the circumstances, whether you are at fault or not, you should always call your insurance if you are involved in an accident. Whether you have found it damaged while parked or in any other unfortunate circumstance, you need to contact your insurance immediately.

What To Do After A Car Accident When You’re Not At Fault

22 related questions found

What should you not say to your insurance company after an accident?

Even if you know the accident was your fault, don't say sorry or admit guilt at the scene as your insurer might have a clause about it. Exchange details with the other's involved and get in touch with your insurer to report the incident.

What is the first step you should take after a collision?

Check for injuries

After the car accident, immediately determine whether anyone is injured. If so, call 911 to get an ambulance and police on the scene. Even if the incident was minor and everyone is cooperative, consider calling the police. That way you'll have an official report to give to your insurance company.

How long do you have to report an accident to your insurance company?

After being involved in a car accident, you should report it to your car insurance provider as soon as you can. Many insurers specify that you need to inform them about an accident within 24 hours of the incident.

What happens if you don't call the police after an accident?

If you do not call the police after an accident in situations where there has been an injury or death, you may face fines, a license suspension, or even jail time. It is always best to report the accident and let the police make the determination as to whether a police report is needed.

Can I refuse to have my car repaired after an accident?

It's a common misconception that your car insurer has to authorise which repair centre your car is sent to after an accident, however you actually have a legal right to choose who repairs your car.

How do I claim on someone else's car insurance?

Claiming on someone else's car insurance

If you have third party insurance and you've been in an accident that wasn't your fault, you can claim against the other driver's insurance. Write to the driver or their insurer to tell them you want to claim, and their insurer will decide who is at fault before settling.

What happens when someone hits your car?

Call the police

If someone hits your vehicle, notify the police even if you think it was a minor accident. They'll write up a police report, which can then be used for your insurance claim. Police also act as an objective arbitrator if disagreements arise between you and the other driver.

Do you have to go through insurance after minor accident?

Drivers must have valid insurance which covers you in the event of damage or injury. But when it comes to a minor scratch or prang, motorists may decide it's not worth going through the insurance companies. Instead of claiming through the insurer, the parties could agree to handle the issue privately.

How can I settle my car accident privately?

How to settle without insurance
  1. Always exchange contact information with the other drivers. ...
  2. Get a record of the damage. ...
  3. Obtain a police report. ...
  4. Get quotes from more than one mechanic for damages. ...
  5. Keep a paper trail. ...
  6. Draft a legally binding agreement when you settle.

Can someone claim on my car insurance without me knowing?

It Is Extremely Unlikely Someone Will Claim On Your Auto Insurance Without Your Knowledge. The first thing to remember is that in most cases you need to provide your insurance details after a collision. That means you already know that someone has your insurance information and intends to use it.

Do you have to report an accident within 24 hours?

All road traffic accidents are to be reported to the police within 24 hours of the incident taking place. You can call 101, the non-emergency police number to do this.

How long after an accident can you file a claim?

Car accident claim time limit: Car accidents and road traffic accidents in general have a three-year limit from the date of the accident. If you were left incapacitated and unable to claim for some time after your accident, you would have a three-year limit from the date of recovery.

How soon after do you need to report an accident incident or near miss?

NB: A report must be received within 10 days of the incident. For accidents resulting in the over-seven-day incapacitation of a worker, you must notify the enforcing authority within 15 days of the incident, using the appropriate online form.

What are the actions to be taken after a collision?

If you are involved in a collision, stop your car at or near the collision scene. If you can, move your car off the road so you do not block traffic. Protect yourself and others from oncoming traffic. Failure to stop at the scene of a collision in which you are involved can result in your arrest warrant.

What should I do after a car accident?

11 Important Steps to Take After a Car Crash
  1. Determine whether anyone is hurt. ...
  2. Get yourself and your vehicle out of danger. ...
  3. Contact the police. ...
  4. Collect important information. ...
  5. Document the scene. ...
  6. Avoid roadside discussions about responsibility. ...
  7. Call a tow truck if needed. ...
  8. Call your insurance company.

What should you do after a car accident?

The 9 Steps to Recovery After an Auto Accident
  1. Seek Medical Care Immediately After a Car Accident. ...
  2. Find the Right Auto Injury Doctor. ...
  3. Follow Your Prescribed Treatment Plan. ...
  4. Get Adequate Rest. ...
  5. Manage Your Pain. ...
  6. Exercise and Stretch. ...
  7. Eat a Healthy Diet and Stay Hydrated. ...
  8. Surround Yourself With a Good Support System.

Do insurance companies talk to each other?

Answer provided by

While car insurance companies don't talk directly to each other, they do share information. All car insurance companies can access your claims history through a database called the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE).

How long does an insurance company have to investigate a claim?

Generally, the insurance company has about 30 days to investigate your auto insurance claim, though the number of days vary by state.

Is it better to file an insurance claim or pay out of pocket?

You should file an insurance claim when you can't afford to pay cash for damages or medical bills that your insurance policy will cover. You should pay out of pocket instead of filing an insurance claim if the repairs or medical bills incurred in an accident that you cause will cost less than your deductible.

Do I have to pay my excess if someone hits me?

Do I pay excess if accident is not my fault? – typically yes. Your insurer should recover the money from the insurer of the at-fault driver – eventually, then they will pay it back to you.