Whether you’re a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, there are many ways you can protect yourself (and others) before and after you’re involved in a car accident. In this blog, we’re going to give you some tips so you’re prepared in the event of an accident, and able to capably handle an accident situation.
Before you’re ever involved in an accident, make sure you have adequate auto insurance. Find out if your insurance policy will cover you if another party is at fault for an accident, and if it will cover another party if you are at fault for an accident. Also, make sure you’re covered by underinsured and uninsured motorist protection. Read more about Kentucky’s uninsured motorist laws here.
Capably Handling Vehicle Collisions
The Kentucky Drivers Manual is an excellent resource for how to handle car accidents. After a collision, take these steps to help yourself and others.
- Stop and park your vehicle at the accident scene and wait for the police. You must contact the police if the damage is $500 or more and/or if there is an injury or death.
- Record the names and addresses of everyone involved, including witnesses.
- Record the names and addresses of all drivers involved, as well as all vehicle information (year, make, model, license plate, and registration number) and all insurance information (company name and policy number).
- Make a list of all vehicle damages.
- If there are any seriously injured accident victims, call 911. Never move an injured person yourself unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
If you’re involved in a collision that results in $500 or more in damages and a police investigation isn’t conducted, you’ll need to obtain and complete an accident report provided by the Kentucky State Police and return it within 10 days of the accident./
After a car accident, don’t assume your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company will readily cover all of your injuries and damages. Talk to a personal injury attorney. In Lexington, contact Todd W. Burris PSC for a free initial consultation.
