Want to know What to Do in a Fender Bender in Texas? What follows is a comprehensive guide on the topic, so please read on!
You might think that you’ll never be involved in a car crash of any type. However, fender benders are much more prevalent than you might believe, with 1.7 million rear-end crashes happening annually in the United States alone. Minor accidents like fender benders can become much larger issues if they aren’t handled properly.
Learn why it’s crucial to carry insurance in the event of a minor collision and find out what to do in a fender bender in Texas by reading on.
What clearly is a “Fender Bender”?
There are so many little collisions every year that you may be unfamiliar with the term. Fender benders, in the simplest terms, are low-speed minor car accidents that don’t cause major injuries and leave your car in drivable condition. They are termed minor collisions because of the lack of serious physical harm.
Examples of typical fender benders are:
- When pulling out of a parking spot, hitting a car, or getting hit by a car.
- When traffic is slow and you hit the car in front of you.
- Getting into an accident while trying to merge into traffic.
- To or be involve in a stop-sign rear-end collision.
- Colliding with a parked vehicle’s side mirror.
You are not alone if reading this list reminds you of a scary moment you narrowly avoided because you were preoccupied with something else. Figuring you have time to check your phone, eat the extra fries that came with your takeout, or sing along to a song you haven’t heard in years might make paying attention seem less important. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving is to blame for 87% of all rear-end collisions.
Drive defensively and stay alert at all times, and don’t use your phone or other wireless devices unless it’s an emergency.
Keep Staying Still at The Scene
Stay where the accident occur, even if you don’t think it’s necessary or you’re not hurt. If an accident occurs in Texas, regardless of who was at blame or how extensive the damage was, you must stop at the scene. Hit and run is a crime in the state of Texas, with penalties including fines and jail time for both the offender and the victim.
See if Anyone Has Been Hurt
Minor injuries are normal in low-impact incidents; however, this is not always the case. Now what to do in a fender bender in Texas? If you and any passengers or pets were in the car at the time of the collision, make sure everyone is okay. Keep an eye out for any signs of injury, even if you don’t feel them right now, as they may not emerge for hours or days after the accident. Whiplash is a classic example of a delayed yet serious injury that can require several days or weeks to heal. You should not put off seeing a doctor after an accident. If an injury occurs to you or another person, dial 911 immediately so that help can arrive.
Go to a Safe Location
Move your car to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights if you are in the way of traffic and it is safe to do so. If you have extra road safety gear, like warning flags, you may find it beneficial to use them when it’s comfortable to do so.
Get Information from Opponent Driver
What to do in a fender bender in Texas? To get information from the opposing driver, you should get out of your car only after you’ve determined that you don’t require medical assistance and are safe to do so. You should ask for their full name and contact information as well as their driver’s license number, registration details, insurance company, and policy number. If you can, snap photos of license plates, identification documents, and insurance cards before leaving the scene.
Just be Careful with Your Words
Even though it might sound like a big deal, you need to keep calm and stick to the facts when you talk to the other individuals involved in the fender bender. You might feel like apologizing, but that could see as a confession of guilt. Even if the other driver acts like they don’t care about the accident, you must still report it. You don’t want to leave the scene and find out later that a report has been file without your account of what happened because a stranger didn’t keep their word.
Take Pictures of The Scene
If you choose not to contact the authorities, at least use your mobile phone’s camera to document the scene of the collision.
Photos of the accident scene, including the cars and any visible damage, license plate information, and a description of what happens should taken. Photographing any injuries is also a good idea, whether they are to you, your passengers, or the other party. In the event that medical or legal action is require following the accident, you will be prepare if you have gather proof.
Make a Phone Call to Your Insurance Company
Regardless of who was responsible, you should report the accident to your insurance company as quickly as possible. Call the police even if the only damage from the collision is to your vehicle and no one hurt. Failure to report an occurrence might result in a delay in reimbursement for damages or medical bills, or even a denial of claims.
The way your claim is handle for your accident will depend on what the insurance companies decide. If the other person was responsible, you can use their insurance information to file a claim with their insurance company. In the same way, if you were responsible, they will file a claim with your insurance company. If you and the other person are both responsible or if no one is responsible, you will utilize your own insurance and the other person will be using theirs.
Insurance companies will work with you to organize repairs if a collision occurs, whether you are guilty or not. They may provide recommendations for repair shops to use, or you may choose your own. After paying the deductible, your insurance provider will cover the damages if you caused the accident. You may have to pay for the repairs out of pocket if the amount of the damages is below the amount of your insurance deductible.
You or the other driver in the collision could not have insurance. 20% of Texans without auto insurance make this a 1 in 5 chance. Call 911 immediately.
Without car insurance, a driver may have to pay anything from $300 to over $6,000 for repairs. The cost of any emergency or follow-up medical attention may pile up quickly, especially if someone hurt. Before an accident, choose automobile insurance that protects you financially.
Report it to the Police
If no one is hurt and the car damage is cosmetic, you may not need to notify the police. However, in cases involving injuries or property damage, a police officer’s impartial account of the events may be essential. If any false claims are create in the aftermath of the accident, this might assist dismiss them. Report the facts and get a copy of the accident report. Insurance companies will evaluate the matter regardless of whether a police record was file. They’ll calculate who’s financially responsible and assign responsibility, or they may determine both sides are to blame.
If you were hit-and-run, call the police as soon as you can. A “hit and run” occurs when an accident’s perpetrator doesn’t wait to exchange information or call the police.
Keeping in Mind That Your Premium May Vary
A minor car accident probably won’t have any effect on your auto insurance rates if you weren’t at fault. If you cause an accident, your insurance prices may rise when you renew. You should consult with an insurance agent about your choices in such a case. Your insurance company may let you change your deductible or attend a defensive driving course to lower your charges. Next, ask your insurer about vehicle insurance savings.
So, what to do in a fender bender in Texas. A fender bender might leave you feeling stressed and anxious. If you stay calm and follow as much advice as possible, you’ll be OK.
Our goal at Octo Insurance is to make sure that every Texan has access to affordable, high-quality auto insurance. Call 469-898-8348 or request a free online quote to reach your Agent.
About the Writer
Asim Ali is a writer and Insurance agent at Octo Insurance Agency.