MAIF Insurance is here to help Maryland drivers safely navigate the roads this new year. Accidents happen, and it’s important to know how to properly handle reporting a car accident just in case you are involved in one. The following are common misconceptions Maryland drivers have about reporting and documenting car accidents:
I don’t need to call the police.
Some people believe that they do not need to call the police following a car accident if there are only minor damages or injuries. However, this is a misconception. You should call the police as soon as possible following any car accident. Once the police arrive, they will be able to assess damages and injuries to ensure everything is addressed appropriately. You may notice the police will speak to witnesses, take photographs of the scene, and document details about all cars involved. They will file an official police report including all of these details which will be helpful when it comes to assessing fault and filing your insurance claim.
I should admit that the accident was my fault.
Even if you suspect that the car accident was your fault, you should not make this admission at the scene of the accident. The police officers and insurance adjusters will be able to determine fault with the provided evidence. The best thing that you can do while the police are assessing the accident is to exchange information with other drivers involved. Make sure you get their names, addresses, driver license numbers, car tag numbers, as well as the make and model of all vehicles. Never guess, speculate or surmise about what might have happened to cause the accident with other drivers or responding officers, as this may cause more problems later on when filing an insurance claim.
I shouldn’t collect my own evidence.
After you’ve called the police, you may think that their report will be all that you’ll need to file your insurance claim. However, it’s always helpful to gather your own documentation for reference. Take photos of the positioning of the vehicles before moving them to the side of the road if it is safe to do so. Additionally, photograph any damages. A good tip is to save time documenting details by taking photos of the make and model of all vehicles involved as well as car tags. Getting photos of the surrounding scene may also be helpful to provide context. As soon as you get home and are safe, contact your MAIF Insurance representative to report the accident and provide them with all of the evidence you collected. Learn more about reporting an accident to MAIF insurance.