Instances of hit-and-run are common. It’s easy to fall prey even if you have safely parked your car. It’s natural to feel angry and confused if someone hits your car. However, the excitement should not rob you of your common sense. Remember, you need to collect as much evidence as possible in a limited time, and proceed to file an insurance claim.
Any lacuna on your part can result in the claim being put down. You would consider yourself lucky if CCTV cameras capture the incident. If not, you need to be proactive and carry out your basic responsibilities.
While claiming your car insurance in Toronto, you should consult a reputed insurance specialist like Surex. This would assure you of a smoother claim process given that you would have seasoned professionals to assist you through the whole thing.
Steps To Follow After Your Car Is In An Accident
Have a look at the most logical steps you need to take after your car gets hit.
1. Secure Yourself And Stop The Car
Unless your parked car gets hit by another vehicle, make sure to stop your car after the accident. Not doing so may lead to criminal prosecution charges. Turn on the four-way flashers or hazard lights for setting up the flares on the road.
2. Dial The Police
Regardless of whether there has been an injury or not, or whether the driver is at fault, make sure to call the police. The chances of survival of the occupants would be higher if the emergency crews can respond swiftly.
Be intelligible when briefing the police. Make sure to mention the following aspects:
- How the accident occurred
- Whether or not you had injuries
- Whether you feel that the other driver was intoxicated
- The extent of damage suffered by each car
Alternatively, you may also dial the Ontario Collision Reporting Centre or other authorities in Canada.
3. Collect Evidence And Take Photos
Once you think it’s safe to leave your car, take apropos photos of both the vehicles on your smartphone. It would be ideal if both the vehicles are in the same frame. These photos would help the authorities determine whose fault it was later in the investigations.
Accordingly, you would get compensated by your insurer. In some cities, you have no-fault insurance systems. You might also document the damages to your car by taking videos. Make sure to include as much information as possible, including the weather conditions, location, and time.
In case there are any broken parts or debris at the site, record those as well. Also, record the estimated speed and weather conditions.
4. Collect Details From The Other Driver
Whether you record the facts on video or note them down, make sure to collect the following details from the other driver:
- Name, address, and phone number
- Vehicle plate number
- The license number of the driver
- Colour, make, and model of the car
- Name of the car owner (if he wasn’t driving)
- The vehicle’s insurance details
- Damage to the other vehicle
- Number of occupants in the vehicle
- Names of people travelling in the car and their respective positions
5. Contact Your Insurer
A reputed insurer will be on his toes to help you out. Therefore, the next logical step would be to contact the insurance company and inform them about the accident. Make sure you recall the incident properly and furnish accurate information, as and when they inquire.
Also, contact the insurance company as soon as possible; not a few days later. Alternatively, you may reach out to your agent who would provide you with comprehensive guidance regarding the claim-filing process.
6. What Information Should You Furnish To The Insurance Company?
- The policy number of your automobile insurance policy
- Location, time, and date of the accident
- The model, make, registration year, and license plate number of your car
- A short briefing on how the accident took place
- The number of passengers involved in the accident
- The license numbers and names of all the drivers involved
- The insurance details and registration of the car owner
- Injuries and damages caused, including pedestrians and third parties
- The damage incurred by your car
- Insurance details and policies of every driver involved
In case the police arrive at the spot, note down the badge number and name of the investigating officer for reference.
Will The Insurance Company Compensate You For The Losses?
Whether or not you can get all the losses compensated depends on what type of policy you have. If you have adequate third-party liability insurance, you can get financial assistance for managing the legal costs and compensating the other party if you are at fault.
In case you’re not at fault, the other driver would have to cover your personal injury, damages, and other losses with their liability coverage. However, if the other driver does not have adequate liability coverage, you may require uninsured insurance coverage to make up for the losses.
Now, if you are prudent enough to include personal injury coverage to manage your medication costs, it would come in handy if you are at fault. Therefore, it would be logical to closely collaborate with one of the insurance specialists in Canada before you purchase your automobile insurance policy.
The Claim Process For Hit-and-Run Incidents
In most hit-and-run cases, you might be unable to identify or locate the driver at fault. Therefore, you may reach out to your insurer to try and obtain the vehicle insurance information. Next, you may claim liability insurance under the policy of the offending driver.
Alternatively, you may allow the police to take legal action after filing the complaint. Whether or not the insurance company would provide you with a financial benefit under the other driver’s policy is up to their discretion.
Endnote
Accidents can and do happen, and you need to prepare yourself financially to tackle the losses. Even if you’re not at fault and someone has significantly damaged your car or health, having adequate insurance coverage would bail you out of the crisis. This explains why most car owners consult insurance specialists before purchasing their policies.
With professional guidance, you can invest in the right protective coverage. This would help you tackle the nitty-gritty of an accident, given that you adhere to the guidelines provided in this post.
