PSA: What to do after a car crash
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Few people think about car crashes before they happen, and immediately after one occurs isn't the time to start. Therefore, putting a few minutes into post-crash preparation makes sense before finding yourself staring into a deflated airbag with a dazed look. Doug Flint from The Car Connection has some great tips - he refers to them as "rules" and has good reasons to do so - and we'd recommend giving his list a thorough read.
From our collective crash experience, encompassing everything from parking-lot fender-benders to leaving the road at 105 mph, we can indeed assure everyone that it's tough to keep your wits about you after unintended physics intervenes with driving. Make some plans now for who you'll call for a tow and how you'll pay, and don't leave the scene until things are sorted out with the authorities, medical personnel, and someone who can give a level-headed assessment of your car's drivability. A good roadside assistance plan that covers all the drivers in your family is a great idea (going through your insurance company will probably yield a discount).
Include every driver in your family in on this planning; even if you've got nerves of steel and aren't rattled by bent sheetmetal... odds are good that there's a less experienced crasher in your household.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Griffin 5:58PM (6/13/2006)
Interesting about roadside assistance, but I've learned from recent experience that towing a car involved in an accident was not covered by my roadside assistance plan. Careful to read the fine print.
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David S. 8:52PM (6/13/2006)
An interesting read, and I agree that being prepared makes a lot of sense, but it should all be taken with a big grain of salt -- especially if you happen to live anywhere other than Virginia. I'll get my legal advice from a lawyer, and leave my mechanic to take care of my car. In particular the suggestion to lie to 911 seems a terrible thing to put in print. ("Call 911. Report that there are possible injuries in the other car, whether you know it to be the case or not. That will get the authorities there more quickly.")
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JimboNC 11:26PM (6/13/2006)
I haven't read the Car Connection list yet, but I can tell you what happens in a rearender that totals a small car. I was at a traffic light, foot on the brake, when my '86 Accord was rearended by a Buick Roadmaster at 45mph. The driver was looking at the scenery instead of the road ahead.
You can brace for the impact but it does no good. Your airbag will not deploy, the seatbelts do not hold you in place, you are slammed against the steering wheel and then bounced back against the seat, which causes a whiplash neck enjury. I still have pain after 14 years. Your car being hit at that speed will be totaled. The rear fenders collapse, the spare tire forces the fuel tank out from under the back seat and up under the engine where an explosion and fire may happen. You are dazed and in pain not sure if you can get out of the car. Do so if possible if you see smoke or fire coming from the engine compartment. Move to the side of the road away from your car and wait for the police and EM. Your car is history. Collect your thoughts about just prior to the impact to give the report.
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Big Daddy 8:51AM (6/14/2006)
Here in Indianapolis, the police, be it state or local, encourage you to NOT call them unless there are injuries and just let your insurance companies sort it out. Results in a lot of he said, she said and unless fault is plain as day, you're screwed. I was involved in two accidents within 5 days of each other a few years ago. In accident #1, lady blew through a red light and clipped the front end of my car...still driveable. We waited 90 minutes for local authorities to show up and they were of no help in regards to putting anyone at fault (why can't witnesses stick around...who wants to wait over an hour to help a stranger when you obviously have places to be). Five days later I am on my way to the body shop for an estimate, stopped at a stop light coming off the interstate, look in my rearview mirror and a guy on his cell phone runs his Montero into my rear end. Waited 2.5 HOURS for the state police to show up. The other driver was long gone and I was only hoping he was honest with his name, license, insurance info. When the trooper actually arrived he basically said I was wasting their time and next time, "just handle it on your own". Unless there is injury, they don't even want to be called. Tax dollars hard at work!
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Bob_Ericson 11:19AM (6/14/2006)
"(which evidently involves putting down the same kitty litter used since the 1950s to soak up oil, but if you do it with enough feeling it's worth several hundred dollars). "
heh
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Bob James 1:27AM (6/15/2006)
Put on your hazards!!!!
I don't know how many people don't do this and stop in the middle of the road in crazy traffic. They don't realize that other people don't care or notice their fender bender and cause secondary accidents. Also, don't stand in the road way. I have seen that too many times. They just seem to like to get run over.
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Bob James 1:28AM (6/15/2006)
Put on your hazards!!!!
I don't know how many people don't do this and stop in the middle of the road in crazy traffic. They don't realize that other people don't care or notice their fender bender and cause secondary accidents. Also, don't stand in the road way. I have seen that too many times. They just seem to like to get run over.
Reply