Why You Should Always Call the Police When Involved in an Accident

Being involved in an accident can be scary for anyone. If you have never been involved in an accident before, there is a chance that you do not know what to do to protect yourself legally. It’s important to be as prepared as possible, for some people who will take advantage of your naiveté and try to get you to exchange information without calling the police. This is never a good idea because when you speak with the insurance companies, it will be your word against the other driver’s word. If the other driver is dishonest with the insurance companies and their company believes them, you could be forced to pay for not only the damage to your car, but also the damage to his or her car even if the accident was not your fault. In order to protect yourself, you should always call the police when an accident occurs.

While waiting for police to arrive at the scene of the accident, you should only move the vehicles if they are obstructing traffic. If you move your car before the officer is able to see the scene, there is a chance that the officer won’t be able to tell who caused the accident. It’s also a good idea to carry a disposable camera with you in your glove box at all times. If you are involved in an accident, you can use the camera to take pictures of the accident to submit to the insurance companies. 

When the police arrive, be sure to explain exactly what happened in a calm and concise manner. To be extra careful, it’s always a good idea to write down exactly what happened so that you can be sure you do not forget to tell the officer something important.

You will also need to have your vehicle registration, your driver’s license and your proof of insurance ready to show the officer so that he or she can write an accident report. It is important to be sure that you keep a copy of the police report in a place that is easy to find so that you can refer to it while you speak with the insurance companies about what happened. Getting an accident report from an officer will insure that the other driver cannot make any claims that are not truthful to their insurance company and that you are able to get your car repaired.

For more information about Missouri SR22 insurance, call Cloverleaf Insurance at 800-530-5822.