How to handle a car accident in Wilton CT

Here is an article i took from www.esurance.com.  I wanted the People of Wilton CT tow know what to do if they are involved in a car accident in Wilton CT.

1. Move to a safe area (if you can)

If it’s safe to do so and you aren’t seriously injured, move your car out of further harm’s way, like to the shoulder of the road. If moving your car just isn’t possible, flip on your hazards to warn other drivers that your vehicle isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

2. Stop your vehicle and get out

Make sure your car is no longer moving, turn off the engine, shift into park, or set the hand brake if you drive a manual. Take a moment to catch your breath. Check to make sure it’s safe to get out of your car before opening the door. If you have flares or similar road safety items, consider using them.

3. Check on others involved

Check on all the other parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to make sure no one is hurt. Call 911 if anyone may be injured. Even a seemingly minor symptom like dizziness should be checked out by a health care professional.

4. Call the police to the scene

Even in minor accidents, a police accident report can prove invaluable when dealing with your car insurance company and other drivers. Cooperate fully, but avoid admitting fault or blaming others while at the scene. Let the police objectively judge events and determine who, if anyone, is at fault in the crash.

If the police can’t make it to the scene (which is more likely if there are no injuries), you can file an accident report through your state’s DMV.

5. Gather info

Try to write down as much info as possible in the accident aftermath, including:

• Driver and passenger names
• License plate numbers
• Insurance info
• Makes and models of all vehicles involved
• Contact info for any eyewitnesses
• Location of the accident
• The name and badge number of any responding police officers

6. Document the scene

If you have a smartphone with a camera, snap some photos of the accident scene. They’ll come in handy during the claim process.

Esurance Mobile, our smartphone app, features the ability to upload photos from the scene when you file a car insurance claim.

7. File your insurance claim

If you’re an Esurance customer, you can call us from the scene at 1-800-ESURANCE(1-800-378-7262), file your claim online, or file it through your smartphone (using our app or mobile site). If you aren’t sure who to call, check your insurance ID card for your insurer’s contact information.

After step 7, it’s our turn to help. We’ll work with you to get your car repaired as quickly as possible.

what you can do before the accident

If you haven’t been in a car accident, after patting yourself on the back (while the car’s stopped, of course), use these handy tips to make sure you’re ready for the unpredictable:

• Pack a safety kit
• Keep important documents at the ready (ID, additional insurance company contact information, vehicle registration, health plan info, etc.)
• Have your phone on you and charged whenever you hit the road
• Keep loose items in the center console or glove box, and not on the seats, where they can get lost or fly around in an accident

No matter how clean your driving record, you never know when an accident can happen. You’ll be glad you kept these 4 elements in mind if (and we do mean “if”) you find yourself handling the aftermath of a crash.