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How to react after a car crash occurs

On Behalf of | Oct 21, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

It isn’t uncommon to be in a state of shock in the immediate aftermath of an Illinois car accident. However, there are a few simple steps that you can follow to reduce your stress and make the process of filing an insurance claim an easier one. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to call a police officer to the scene.

Your safety should be a top priority

The first thing that you’ll want to do after an accident occurs is to make sure that you aren’t hurt. If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road or to a parking lot to reduce the risk of another collision. You might also want to put emergency flares or cones around your car to minimize the risk of getting hit by oncoming traffic.

Exchange information with the other driver

You will want to get as much information from the other driver involved in the accident as possible. At a minimum, you should get this person’s name, insurance policy number and phone number. It may also be a good idea to get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident as well as a copy of the police report.

How might an accident impact your car insurance rates?

If you were at fault for a crash, your insurance rates could go up by as much as 50%. If the accident wasn’t your fault, your rates might still go up by as much as 10%. However, most insurance companies won’t penalize a policyholder for accidents that they didn’t cause, and in some cases, your insurance provider may hold off on a rate increase even if you caused a wreck to occur.

A personal injury attorney may be able to help you obtain compensation for injuries caused by a negligent driver. In addition, you might be entitled to compensation to repair or replace items damaged in an accident. Personal injury cases may be resolved through a settlement or at trial.

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