Things to Keep in Mind If You Are Not Responsible for An Accident

Posted on: May 10, 2023 | | Written by:

Things to Keep in Mind If You Are Not Responsible for An Accident

Published on May 08, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Have you ever been in an accident where you were not at fault? You were using the indicator to turn left/right, yet someone dashed into your car. Or you were waiting at a traffic signal when someone rear-ended you. It is not uncommon for car owners to find themselves in such plights. A car insurance policy can come in quite handy in such situations.

For car owners who find themselves in situations where they are not responsible, there are a few things to keep in mind. Following are some of them.

Initial steps for an accident where you aren’t responsible

If you are involved in an accident that you were not responsible for it, here are the immediate steps that you need to follow.

• It is pertinent that you stay calm and not lose control.

• If anyone is injured during the accident, call an ambulance to ensure they get the necessary medical attention.

• If there is a lot of damage to your car, call the police.

• Take pictures and videos of your car and the other vehicle involved in the accident.

• Make sure that the drivers are aware of the insurance coverage of their policies.

• Inform your insurance provider about the incident and wait for them to provide you with the next steps.

• At all times, ensure that you remain calm, as it will help you think reasonably.

Things to do if you are not responsible for an accident

Getting involved in an accident without any fault of yours can be quite frustrating. And if the car damage is severe, it can be quite stressful as well. However, it is crucial that you remain calm and avoid getting into any fights. Here are a few things that you can do in such situations.

1. Notify your insurance provider:

In such a case, it is pertinent that you inform your insurance provider about the accident. And you must do so at the earliest. In fact, it is recommended that you do so within the first 24 hours of the accident. It is possible that the insurance provider of the vehicle at fault might consider you guilty of the accident.

Irrespective, informing your insurance provider is crucial. You can submit your account of the incident along with pictures to support your plight. Your insurance provider might also offer protection if the insurer of the other vehicle denies your claim.

2. Collect information:

After an accident, it is important to stay calm and collect some information, that might come in handy later. You can try to collect information such as the name and address of the vehicle owner. Do not hesitate to take pictures of the accident that depicts car damage. Ensure that you capture the number plate of the vehicle at fault and take the contact details of witnesses of the accident, if any.

3. Filing a legal claim:

It is no secret that a legal approach in the country can be quite tedious. Thus, you must be cautious while exercising it. If the accident is severe and the car damage is quite extreme, you can take the legal way. On the other hand, if the insurance provider of the vehicle at fault denies you a claim, you can take the legal path to get your necessary compensation.

If the accident results in a physical injury, make sure to find a good lawyer who can fight on your behalf. Taking the legal way can be a bit overwhelming, and you must be careful while exercising your options.

Why do you need insurance?

A lot of us are aware that buying a car insurance policy is mandatory, as per the law. However, there is more to it than that. Given the massive number of vehicles that we have and the ever-increasing city traffic, there are more than a few perks of buying a car insurance policy. Here are some of the major perks.

1. Reduces your liability:

During an accident, you might cause damage or injury to other people or vehicles. For minor accidents, it might bode well. However, for accidents where the damage is a bit severe, it can lead to a lot of liability on your part. Having insurance for your car will reduce any such legal consequences on you, due to the accident.

A third-party liability policy will also take care of treatment expenses along with damage repair for such occurrences.

2. Repairing damages:

Car damage during an accident is quite common. Whether the damage is due to your mistake or someone else’s, it needs to be repaired. If the cost of expenses is a bit high, you can claim your car insurance policy to cover the charges.

Should someone else be the cause of the accident, and they refuse to pay for the damages or flee from the spot, you can claim your policy to cover the damages. Buying a comprehensive plan will protect you from a lot of such unforeseen events.

3. Personal accident cover:

A perk of buying car insurance is the personal accident cover that comes along. If the accident is severe and it results in the death or disability of the insured, the personal accident cover can be quite practical. The cover will compensate the nominees. If you already have another life insurance policy and feel this might be redundant, you can choose to skip the cover as well.

4. Better protection, albeit the add-ons:

When you buy a standalone own damage cover or comprehensive cover, you get access to add-ons. Add-ons provide additional coverage to the base policy and can help you both customise the policy as per your needs and enhance its coverage. By paying a small premium, you can save a lot of money in the long run. Emergency assistance cover is one of the most popular add-ons for a car insurance policy. It is also known as roadside assistance cover, and it is quite helpful if you are stranded in a place that is unknown or far from your base location. Via emergency assistance cover, your insurance provider can assist you with flat tyres, refuelling, minor fixes to the car, or taking it to the nearest garage if the breakdown is serious.

5. Buy policy online to save on premiums:

You can easily secure a policy for your car without burning a deep hole in your budget or finances due to online policies. Buying a policy online offers you the convenience of choosing a plan as per your needs and coverage. Online policies are almost always more affordable than offline ones.

Conclusion

Being involved in an accident due to someone else responsibility can be quite frustrating. Yet, it is important to remain calm in such situations. Above are some of the things that you can do should you find yourself amidst such an occurrence. Car damage is one of the easiest outcomes in accidents, and having a good insurance plan can save the day.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

Do You Know What is Collision Damage Waiver Car Insurance?

Find Out Why a 15 Lakh Personal Accident Cover is Mandatory

10 Things to Know about Personal Accident Policy

5 Reasons Behind Car Accidents Caused By Teens

When You Claim for an Accident, This Is What Happens to Your Premium