Parked Car Hit At Night

You awake to the sound of metal crunching metal. Your car alarm warning pierces the night. Your vehicle has just been hit. Now what?

  1. Check to see if anyone has been injured. If necessary call 911.
  2. If you are dealing with a drunk driver or possible criminal situation, do not confront the driver. Call the police!
  3. If your vehicle is out on the road, move it away from possible traffic.
  4. If you cannot move the vehicle safely, then turn on your flashers or mark the hazard with some sort of flashlight, flare, or cones.
  5. Call the police to report the accident.
  6. Write down the time and what has occurred. If this is not a hit and run situation, then record information on the other vehicle. Who is the driver and what is his driver's license, insurance company and policy number. Get information from any passengers or witnesses. Make a sketch of the scene. If your phone has a camera, take a picture.
  7. Notify your insurance company directly. or call your agent or broker.


Why do all these steps? Firemen have a name for what happens to people at the time of great emotional stress, "trauma amnesia". Making a sketch of the scene and writing everything down, will give you something to do, and help you organize your thoughts.

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