So what happens in the event of a car crash?

"Frosted" (frostedbuns) 02/17/2014 at 23:23 • Filed to: None

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I've been driving since I was 17. I'm now 22. I've never had an accident. I don't plan on having one. I'm just curious though, what happens if I am involved in an accident? I feel the other party(ies) involved won't be so helpful to an accident newb.

Image found on MotorTend.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:27

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Is that (or should I saw was that) a Volvo V70R?

Rainbow > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:28

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If you're involved in an accident like THAT one, I don't think you'll ever need to worry about dealing with the other party.

However, I've never been in an accident either, but I do know that if you apologize, you're basically admitting fault. Show sympathy, but don't act like it was your fault, even if you think it was. Just make sure everyone is okay, and then you can wait in your car until the police show up. Some people would be helpful, I'm sure, but I wouldn't do anything they tell me until the cops come. Just to be safe.

thedevilinside > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:28

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Cry. Lots of crying over your baby(car). Then take pictures, call police, exchange insurance info. Don't let them just leave after giving you their phone number. No matter how nice they seem.

JustWaitingForAMate > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:28

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Photograph everything, admit nothing.

turbokitten > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:29

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That'll buff out

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:29

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Depends on who hits you....

I've been in 3 accidents since I got my license (the ones prior to getting my license don't count right?...)

But one person who hit me gave me their information but it was all fake...

One person who hit me paid me 500 cash to not report the accident.

And one was a fire hydrant.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:30

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Don't offer to pay them cash on the spot.

I repeat don't do that.

That story is for a different day.

MtrRider > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:31

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Well, in California if somebody crashes into you they will run because they have no license or insurance. This leaves you to contact the police and your insurance to report a hit and run.

Nerd-Vol > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:31

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It depends on your state. If it is a light fender bender, you should move the vehicles to a safe location. You might want to snap a few photos before moving. Then swap insurance information with the person. Make sure to get their name, insurance account number, and insurance company at minimum. You may also want to get name and address for extra security.

If the accident is bad, you should call 911 to get a police report. Your state may actually require a police report regardless of the severity.

fhrblig > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:32

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When you have an accident (and you will), try really hard to not be the one responsible for the crash. I've been on both sides of the equation, and it's much easier to deal with afterwards when you are not the one ticketed or financially responsible.

I've only had one accident where the other person didn't cooperate fully, and that's because they caused the crash and then fled the scene. Every other time has been just fine.

Telumektar > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 02/17/2014 at 23:33

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Engine is salvageable, just a bit shaken up.

The Real Dacia Sandero > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:33

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In the crashes I've been in(never driving, just present).

1.Call the police to report the accident.

2.Call your insurance company

3. Take as many pics of both(or more) vehicles as well as maybe the surroundings if they were a cause of any of the crash.

4.Don't run your mouth. Most people are idiots and may incriminate themselves in some way. The more you talk to the other driver or cop, the more risk there can be. Answer questions to the officer if needed, but don't volunteer anything.

5. If there are witnesses, do whatever you can to get them and stick around to give a testimony. Once they leave, their testimony basically means nothing unless there is a big court case or something. Even then, that can vary.

6. If it wasn't that bad, go to a chiropractor. If you have and weird pains though, go to a hospital. You can easily get screwed up in ways in a crash that can have lasting effects if not cared for. A good chiropractor can really benefit you.

Frosted > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 02/17/2014 at 23:34

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Yes, p80 chassis. Wheels are the only thing giving it away.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:37

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I'm 16, and have had 2 accidents since last year (both not my fault in any way)

Step one: get out of the car, and turn the engine off (unless you are hurt)

Step two go check on the other driver

step three call 911

step four: try not to cuss the other driver out while waiting for the police

step five: give the officers your statement

step six: get insurance information from the other driver

step seven: you probably should go get checked out, as there is a good chance you will be sore.

Also, take tons of pictures of the cars, and scene.

 > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:41

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1. STFU! Whether or not you are at fault don't say anything as it can and will be used against you.

2. Call the cops. Get a copy of the police report, incident number, name of all the responding officers.

3. Exchange insurance information. Get all the contact information of the other party. If they are not willing to provide it get it from the cops.

4. Take pics, write notes of what happened. Record as much of what happened and any exchange of verbal diarrhea that may have occurred.

5. Call your insurance company. Tell em what happened and they should be able to explain the rest.

6. Call a cab. If you car is undrivable that is. Call a cab, a relative or whoever else to come get your crashed ass.

7. Cry cause your Miata is totaled.

Orange Exige > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:43

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[For a single car crash] If the car's cheap and you don't want to report it to insurance lest your premiums skyrocket (yay being 20 -_-), you call AAA and try to use their free towing to get it back to your house despite the fact that they'll bring a flatbed and won't be able to pull it out from the two trees. Then you leave it till tomorrow for the tow truck to come - or so you thought - until the police call and tell you to get it off the side of the road that night because they're getting too many 911 calls about the crashed and abandoned Miata on the side of the road. Then you just gotta burn the $80 on a tow truck that night and cry yourself to sleep every night for the next month. Also, you gaze longingly at Craigslist cars + trucks during this time period as well, in addition to lamenting your misfortune on a regular basis.

Big Bubba Ray > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/17/2014 at 23:44

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Had this happen to me once. A guy scratched the shit outta my bumper trying to take a turn too tight around my car. He offered to pay me $500 right on the spot to not report it to insurance. When I refused his offer, he tried to get me to go to "his brother's body shop" to get it fixed that fucking day. I was leaving town for the weekend so obviously declined.

When I got back in town, I reported it to his insurance immediately, his adjuster came to give an estimate and the total damage was $1,500. So glad I refused the immediate offer of $500...even though it was tempting as a beer fund for the weekend!

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Frosted 02/17/2014 at 23:45

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1st. Check to make sure everyone is ok.

snap a couple quick photos of the general placement of vehicles,

TELL THE PERSON YOU ARE GOING TO MOVE YOUR VEHICLE OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC,

move vehicles if possible out of the way.

swap insurance info, call police for an accident report, take more photos of everything. (everyone if you can)

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Frosted 02/18/2014 at 00:29

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Adding to what several have said, try to take pictures of EVERYTHING. Take pictures of the cars, the damage, and the OTHER DRIVER'S ID and Insurance info. Yes, this is the voice of unfortunate experience.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > The Real Dacia Sandero 02/18/2014 at 00:33

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4.Don't run your mouth. Most people are idiots and may incriminate themselves in some way. The more you talk to the other driver or cop, the more risk there can be. Answer questions to the officer if needed, but don't volunteer anything.

Amen. Even if you don't incriminate yourself, a lot of people's chatter after an accident just isn't helpful. So cooperate and answer questions, but don't speculate, etc.

If you have and weird pains though, go to a hospital. You can easily get screwed up in ways in a crash that can have lasting effects if not cared for.

+1,000,000 on this. If the accident is bad enough, you'll probably be in shock, and you won't be in the best frame of mind to decide how you really are. If you're hurt, get yourself seen asap.

Deven > The Real Dacia Sandero 02/18/2014 at 00:45

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Man I had an idiot friend essentially admitted fault once (on an accident that the other driver caused) when he started running his mouth.

Luckily, neither the cop nor the other driver were paying attention enough to hear him.

Svend > Frosted 02/18/2014 at 03:10

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You can get an 'accident evidence kit', 'accident documentation kit' or similar from American Red Cross. Inside is a booklet on what you need to do in case of an accident (read it before it get in an accident and don't leave it till you actually have one), a camera to photo evidence the cars and anything else that may be applicable (ie weather conditions, road conditions, actual damage to vehicles (some people are known to take their car away and do more damage and boost the claim for damages), tape measure to properly document where your car came to rest against a fixed point (ie kerb side, fence post, mail box, etc...), etc...

theuserformerlyknownasaluminumfoil > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 02/18/2014 at 09:00

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I thought it was an T5-R wagon :/

crowmolly > Frosted 02/18/2014 at 09:38

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Some good info here, but one thing was missed IMO:

Unless you are driving a beater, never "take the cash".

The amount of money required to repair a newer car properly after even just a minor fender-bender is enough to make the other driver balk and call you greedy.