I got into a serious accident. What do I do?

I got into a serious car accident, what should I do? Am I covered?

1. Try to stay calm.
2. Turn on your 4-way flashers or hazard lights if you can.
3. Call 911 right away and wait for help.
4. Don’t try to move any of the cars.
5. Determine if it’s safer to stay in the car or wait by the side of the road.
6. If other people need help, make sure it’s safe to help until emergency crews arrive to take over first aid or transport people to hospital if necessary.

What do I do after police and emergency crews have secured the scene and no one is in immediate danger?

1. Exchange information with the other driver(s). Try to get a photo of their license plate and proof of insurance or pink slip.
2. If you’re not at fault, try to get contact information for anyone who might have witnessed the crash.
3. If it’s safe, take photos of the scene, including close-ups of damage to all vehicles, and wide shots that show the entire scene.
4. Take notes about what happened while you remember it clearly. Note the time of day, the weather conditions, and anything else that you think would be relevant.
5. Get a tow truck to take your car to a garage for repair. You have the choice of who tows you. It’s covered if you have collision coverage. You may want to use a towing service and body shop that is on your insurance company’s list of certified and reputable partners as it will speed up the process.
6. Call us or the insurance company where we placed you within 24 hours to report the accident and start a claim. Depending on your coverage, your claims advisor will give you information about:
   1. Towing companies if you are still at the scene
   2. Body shops if you haven’t chosen one
   3. Medical and other benefits available to you
   4. Rental cars (if your policy includes coverage for a rental car while your car is in the shop)
   5. Legal considerations, whether or not you are at fault and
   6. Next steps
7. If you need medical treatment beyond emergency care (physiotherapy, chiropractic etc.), you can choose any licensed clinic, but going to a clinic that is on your insurance company’s list of preferred partners will be faster.
8. If you’re at-fault for the accident, your insurer will provide a lawyer to defend you if you get sued. You are allowed to have your own lawyer too.
9. If you’re not at-fault and you have serious injuries or other losses related to the accident that aren’t covered, you may need your own lawyer to help you claim damages.