ACCIDENT INFORMATION GUIDE
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: University Place, WA
ACCIDENT INFORMATION GUIDE
The following info is from the California Bar Association.
It is stuff you should remember should you ever get into a traffic accident.
Since it is hard to even remember your name, let alone all this other stuff, I also just made a printable .pdf page that you can print out and keep in your glove box:
http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/ACCI...NFORMATION.pdf
Here is also a much older .pdf of a form I've used before. I keep a couple of these (and a pen or pencil) in my glove box, "just in case."
http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/ACCIDENT_FORM.pdf
Hope this helps!
Tom
It is stuff you should remember should you ever get into a traffic accident.
What information should I gather at the accident scene?
Since many records now are confidential under the law, you may not be able to obtain the information that you want from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). So be sure to get as much correct and complete information as you can at the scene of the accident.
You and the other driver should show each other your driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. Then you should write down:
* The other driver’s name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver’s license number and expiration date, and insurance company.
* The other car’s make, year, model, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number.
* The names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance companies of the other car’s legal and registered owners—if the driver does not own the car.
* The names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and telephone numbers of any passengers in the other car.
* The names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. Ask them to stay to talk to the CHP or police. If they insist on leaving, ask them to tell you what they saw and write everything down.
* Try to identify people at the accident scene, even if they will not give their names. For example, if someone who saw the accident drives off, take down his or her license plate number. Law enforcement officials can trace the owner’s name and address.
* The name and badge number of the law officer who comes to the accident scene. Ask the officer where and when you can get a copy of any accident report.
* A simple diagram of the accident. Draw the positions of both cars before, during and after the accident.
If there are skid marks on the road, pace them off. Draw them on the diagram, noting the distance they cover. Mark the positions of any crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights or streetlights. If you have a camera with you, take pictures of the scene, and of the other drivers and occupants.
However, do not place yourself in a position of danger in order to complete an accident diagram. Be aware of traffic conditions and skip any measurements that could place you in a position of harm.
Make notes, too, on weather and road conditions.
If the accident happened after dark, note whether the streetlights were on. Estimate your speed and that of the other vehicle. Be sure to record the exact time, date and place the accident happened.
Since many records now are confidential under the law, you may not be able to obtain the information that you want from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). So be sure to get as much correct and complete information as you can at the scene of the accident.
You and the other driver should show each other your driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. Then you should write down:
* The other driver’s name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver’s license number and expiration date, and insurance company.
* The other car’s make, year, model, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number.
* The names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance companies of the other car’s legal and registered owners—if the driver does not own the car.
* The names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers and telephone numbers of any passengers in the other car.
* The names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. Ask them to stay to talk to the CHP or police. If they insist on leaving, ask them to tell you what they saw and write everything down.
* Try to identify people at the accident scene, even if they will not give their names. For example, if someone who saw the accident drives off, take down his or her license plate number. Law enforcement officials can trace the owner’s name and address.
* The name and badge number of the law officer who comes to the accident scene. Ask the officer where and when you can get a copy of any accident report.
* A simple diagram of the accident. Draw the positions of both cars before, during and after the accident.
If there are skid marks on the road, pace them off. Draw them on the diagram, noting the distance they cover. Mark the positions of any crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights or streetlights. If you have a camera with you, take pictures of the scene, and of the other drivers and occupants.
However, do not place yourself in a position of danger in order to complete an accident diagram. Be aware of traffic conditions and skip any measurements that could place you in a position of harm.
Make notes, too, on weather and road conditions.
If the accident happened after dark, note whether the streetlights were on. Estimate your speed and that of the other vehicle. Be sure to record the exact time, date and place the accident happened.
http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/ACCI...NFORMATION.pdf
Here is also a much older .pdf of a form I've used before. I keep a couple of these (and a pen or pencil) in my glove box, "just in case."
http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/ACCIDENT_FORM.pdf
Hope this helps!
Tom
That's a lot of stuff to get.
If it is a minor accident and no one is injured, get the cars out of the travel lanes. The police in most states don't write a report for minor accidents and won't talk to the insurance company if there is a dispute over the "facts of loss" - or who caused it.
Witnesses are important. I'd say about 6 of the roughly 500 claims I handled had witness info. People will not stop to give you info. By the time you are oriented enough to think about it, they will be gone.
If you remember one thing and only one thing make it this:
Get the license plate number and/or vin of the other car.
I can't tell you how many people ended up SOL because they didn't have that and the other driver gave insufficient or wrong info at the scene.
If you ever have questions or concerns about what to do after an accident/dealing with insurance - PM me and I will help how ever I can.
If it is a minor accident and no one is injured, get the cars out of the travel lanes. The police in most states don't write a report for minor accidents and won't talk to the insurance company if there is a dispute over the "facts of loss" - or who caused it.
Witnesses are important. I'd say about 6 of the roughly 500 claims I handled had witness info. People will not stop to give you info. By the time you are oriented enough to think about it, they will be gone.
If you remember one thing and only one thing make it this:
Get the license plate number and/or vin of the other car.
I can't tell you how many people ended up SOL because they didn't have that and the other driver gave insufficient or wrong info at the scene.
If you ever have questions or concerns about what to do after an accident/dealing with insurance - PM me and I will help how ever I can.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 312
From: Daly City
that's all well and good but most insurance companies just ask for the name, phone number, both vehicles involved, other persons insurance company, and policy number. the registration doesn't matter. the person who owns the car isn't the one who will be effected. it's the person who was driving at the time that matters.
Originally Posted by theoneandonly
the person who owns the car isn't the one who will be effected. it's the person who was driving at the time that matters.
Exceptions include rental cars where your insurance is on the hook if you wreck it.
But if you wreck your buddy's car, his insurance will be the one to fix it, not yours.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,627
From: North Los Angeles County
Having just gone through a hit-and-run, I did fine with the plate number, police report, and phone numbers of witnesses. The insurance adjuster used the plate number to determine insurance on the other vehicle (California records insurance data at the DMV), called one of the witnesses and referenced the police report to determine that I wasn't at fault. The insurance company did everything smoothly,
The more info you can get, the better. Don't forget that you probably have a camera in your cellphone and you should be taking pictures of everything and everybody. Shoot pics of the license plates and the documents as well as the damage.
Call the cops even if they are going to tell you that they don't go to accidents.
The more info you can get, the better. Don't forget that you probably have a camera in your cellphone and you should be taking pictures of everything and everybody. Shoot pics of the license plates and the documents as well as the damage.
Call the cops even if they are going to tell you that they don't go to accidents.
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