What to Do When Your Car Gets Hit
3 Answers
Here are the steps to handle a car collision: 1. Stop and call the police. In case of a severe collision between two vehicles, immediately pull over, turn on the hazard lights, and place a warning triangle 150 meters behind the car. If there are any injuries, call 120 for an ambulance first, then contact the traffic police, and finally notify your insurance company. 2. Preserve the scene. For major accidents, it's crucial to protect the accident scene until the traffic police arrive to investigate and determine which party is at fault. 3. Claim compensation. If there are injuries, keep all hospital receipts. For vehicle damage, you can go to a 4S shop or a loss assessment center designated by the insurance company to assess the damage. Based on the insurance company's investigation and the determination of responsibility in the accident report, the insurance company will provide certain compensation.
When the car gets hit, my first reaction is to find a safe place to stop, don’t panic, and immediately turn on the hazard lights. Confirming that no one in the car is injured is the most important thing. If there are injuries, call 120 for emergency help immediately. I’ve experienced a minor collision myself, so I remind everyone not to stop in the middle of the road and block traffic—it’s very dangerous. Then, get out of the car to check the situation and exchange information with the other driver, including license plate numbers, contact details, and insurance policy numbers. At the same time, use your phone to take photos of the scene, including the damaged areas, road markings, and the positions of both vehicles. If the other party refuses to cooperate or the situation is serious, call the police immediately to handle it—this is key evidence. Afterward, don’t rush to leave; wait for the police to arrive and write a report. Stay calm throughout the process, avoid arguments, and prioritize safety, as poorly handled road accidents can lead to secondary dangers. Later, contact your insurance company to report the incident promptly—don’t delay, as it might affect the claim. I’ve developed good habits while driving, like always keeping an emergency contact list and a phone charger in the car, just in case. Remembering these steps can greatly reduce trouble.
After the car was hit, I immediately pulled over, turned off the engine, and engaged the handbrake. Safety comes first—ensuring that both myself and others are unharmed before proceeding. Contacting the insurance company is a must, a lesson I learned from my last accident: call the insurance hotline to report the situation, providing details like location, time, and extent of damage. If it’s just a minor scratch, settling it through mutual agreement is ideal—saving time and effort. However, if the damage is significant or there’s a dispute, always call the traffic police to assess liability on-site. I’ve seen a friend delay claims for a long time due to not reporting the accident. Don’t forget to take photos at the scene for evidence, covering vehicle damage details, license plates, and panoramic views. Exchange phone numbers and driver’s license information with the other party to avoid future disputes. After handling the accident, drive to a repair shop as soon as possible for an assessment of repair costs—don’t tinker with it yourself to prevent further damage. In the long run, I need to reflect on whether I was careless while driving—prevention is more important than dealing with accidents. Develop a habit of regular car checks, like brakes and lighting systems, for peace of mind. In short, stay calm and follow the process.
