What To Do If You Are Involved In A Minor Car Accident

Any car accident can be very distressing - buying a brand new front wheel hub or rear wheel hub and then having it destroyed is never fun. However, if you areprepared it can help make a stressful situation more manageable. This guide isfor cases in which there are no injuries to either party in the accident. Ifyou are involved in an accident where there are injuries to either party, youmust stop immediately and dial 911.

 The first thing to do if you are involved in an accident is,if possible, to move your car to a safe nearby location out of the way of othermotorists. Be careful not to go too far, and never leave the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is a highlypunishable offense and a felony in cases where someone is injured.

Stay calm. Regardless of whether the accident was your faultor not, don’t panic, remain polite, and do not admit fault. Contact your localpolice, who will inform you whether or not a patrol officer should come andassess the situation.

Then exchange information with the other party. Collecttheir contact information, insurance information, the year make model and colorof their vehicle, and their license plate number. Take a picture of the damage toboth vehicles at the scene of the accident. Take pictures from multiple angles,and try to get as much detail as possible – from close-ups of the damage towider shots of the scene itself. If you do not have a camera on yourmobile phone, purchase a disposable camera and keep it in your car at all timesin case of an accident. Also collect contact information from the tow truckdriver and any witnesses (if present).

After you have exchanged all of the information necessary,you should be ready to get on your way. Make sure to keep all of theinformation you gathered in a safe place so you can reference it once youreturn home to complete the necessary paperwork, and ensure the responsibleparty pays for the repairs.

What Documents Are Important to Keep for my Vehicle?

There are several documents you are required to keep withyou when you drive in the United States. It is easy to forget about necessarypaperwork when driving – most of us are only concerned whether our CD Playerand navigation units are functioning to make sure we are entertained and comfortable. Howevernot having a piece of the necessary paperwork required for driving on publicroads can leave you with a huge headache.

 One of these is a driver’s license, which alsoserves as a valid form of identification. As it is your license to drive, and aform of identification, it is best to carry your driver’s license with you atall times. These are issued by your home state, and the requirements forobtaining one vary from state to state. To check the requirements where youlive, visit the Department of Motor Vehicles website for your home state.

You are also required to carry a liability insurance policyfor driving. The minimum requirements of these policies also vary from eachstate, but regardless, a card will be issued to you either physically orelectronically. There are many insurance companies switching to paperlesspolicies, and while this is more efficient and “eco-friendly,” it is importantto make sure you print a copy of your insurance card and keep it with you ifyou received it electronically.

You are also required to register your vehicle in the statein which you live. After filling out a registration form, and a check for thefees for registering your vehicle, you will receive a document and a sticker toapply on the top right corner of your license plate. Make sure to keep thedocument that comes with the sticker – this is your vehicle registrationpaperwork and should be kept, along with your insurance information, in theglove compartment of your vehicle.

Why are these documents important to keep with you? If youare ever pulled over by any law enforcement officer, you will be required tofurnish these documents as proof you are legally able to drive in the U.S. Ifyou are caught without these documents you will most likely be issued aseparate ticket for not having them on you, along with whatever violation youwere cited for in the first place. Additionally, if you are ever involved in anauto accident, you will be required to exchange the information on thesedocuments to the other party involved (if any), and depending on the severityof the accident, report it to the Department of Motor Vehicles. It is best toavoid any problems by making sure you have your paperwork in order at alltimes.
 

 Lastly, it is very important to keep the original documents thatprove your ownership of the vehicle – typically called a title. The title toyour vehicle is critical in proving that the vehicle belongs to you, and isrequired for registering the vehicle in your name for the first time. Neverkeep the title inside the vehicle – if the title is lost, getting another copycan be difficult. It is best to keep the title to your vehicle in a safe placeat home where you can find it if you need it.

Top Five Auto Products to Save Money on Your Car Insurance

As the cost of gas rises, consumers are searching for ways to lower the costs of owning and maintaining a vehicle. The secret may lie in the one place car owners fail to look, auto insurance. Insurance companies offer discounts based on eligibility and reduced rates for safe drivers. Consider these top five auto product suggestions, proven to save money on car insurance by reducing crashes and other problems that generate insurance claims.

Rearview Cameras

Rearview cameras greatly reduce the likelihood of a backing crash. With fewer accidents on your record, you'll see a big reduction when your insurance premiums are calculated. The cameras are a relatively inexpensive safety feature and easily installed. Features to consider is the whether the camera has night vision capability, angle measurements and if the camera initiates when the car shifts into reverse. Prices of rearview cameras vary from $100-$400, depending on the style and feature chosen.

Sleep Alert System

Nearly every driver across the world has experienced driver fatigue. In extreme cases of fatigue, drivers drift off to sleep and eventually into other lanes. Insurance companies have paid their fair share of claims because a driver fell asleep at the wheel. Installing an alert system will prevent your premiums from skyrocketing and protect you from injury in a fatigue-related crash. The sleep alert system establishes your level of alertness by administering tests for reaction periodically. Cost for a sleep alert system hovers around $250.

Driver Alert System

Driver alert systems are available for any model car. Driver assistance systems alert drivers when lanes are crossed without a signal. They forewarn drivers of potential hazards that lie ahead and unsafe following distances. The systems require professional installation and costs begin around $600. Although the initial investment may be high, reducing the likelihood of an at-fault accident could save you thousands in insurance premiums over several years.

Theft Deterrents

Visible and audible security devices protect your car from thieves and from excessive insurance premiums. Insurance companies offer discounts to consumers when their car is a low risk for an auto theft generated claim. Theft deterrents include warning, tracking and immobilization devices as well as audible alarms. Simply having one of these devices in your vehicle can generate an instant premium discount for you.

Warning devices could be as simple as strategically placed decals, warning potential thieves of a theft deterrent system. Other warning devices include brake pedal, tire and steering wheel locks. On board GPS systems for tracking a stolen car is also a valuable deterrent. Devices that immobilize a car are some of the best methods of prevention. Kill switches, required wireless authentication, fuse disconnects and smart keys are just a few immobilization devices.

Hands Free Devices

One of the number one ways to save money on your insurance premiums and drive safer is to invest in a hands free device. Bluetooth devices allow the driver to change the controls in the car without removing the hands from the steering wheel. This reduces the likelihood of a crash from the distractions of holding a phone in one hand and trying to drive with the other.

Jessica Bosari is an insurance professional who writes for CarInsuranceQuotesComparison.com. The site educates consumers so that they can compare insurance quotes and make informed insurance purchase decisions.