Social Distancing After an Auto Accident

As some states begin easing stay-at-home orders, auto accidents may likely increase, yet COVID-19 cases are rising across the United States, which may also increase the risk for drivers to contract the virus after an accident occurs. Here are some tips to help drivers maintain social distancing measures following an accident during the pandemic as they share insurance information, get a vehicle appraised, and repaired.

Make Safety a Priority

• Make sure the roadway is safe before getting out of your car.

• Call 911 if anyone is hurt.

• Report the accident to the police if vehicle damage is severe or state law requires it.

Respect Personal Distance

• Maintain a social distance of six feet from other drivers, occupants, and any first responders.

• As an extra measure of precaution, consider wearing a mask when you interact with anyone at the scene of the accident.

• Ask to use your smart-phone and camera to exchange information and gather facts.

Capture Accident Facts

• Exchange information with the driver via text (name, phone, license plate numbers, as well as vehicle descriptions, including make, color, and model).

• Place insurance card and driver’s license on a flat surface and take pictures of both sides, and share with the other driver(s).

• Take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved and the accident scene.

Inquire with Insurance

When you contact your insurance carrier to inform them of the accident, ask if they have a mobile tool available to submit information digitally, should you choose to file a claim? If available, use the link provided to initiate the claims process from your smartphone.

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING

Under normal circumstances, you would approach the other driver to exchange the required information. During these times, maintain all social distancing recommendations to the best extent possible. You can fulfill your legal obligations without a hand-to-hand exchange of documents.

Keep a consistent distance of six feet from other people.

If you have them, wear a protective mask and gloves when interacting with other involved parties.

Instead of exchanging pieces of paper, exchange mobile phone numbers verbally with the other driver, witnesses, and other involved parties. Send a text before leaving the premises to verify their phone numbers are correct. Text all required information and/or photos of documents to the other driver.

Alternatively, ask the other party to set their documents on a safe, flat surface, so you can take photos and/or write the information down with your pen and paper.

If using photos of documents, verify that all information is clear and visible in the picture before proceeding.

If the behavior of the other driver makes you feel unsafe, remain in your vehicle. Call for law enforcement and wait for them to arrive and assist.

SEEK NECESSARY MEDICAL ATTENTION

If you are injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care promptly. If your injuries do not require immediate emergency treatment, consider the non-critical care options available to you.

Your best first step may be to contact your primary care provider or advice nurse for their recommendations about your situation. They may be able to address your initial needs with a telemedicine appointment or video call instead of an in-person visit.

Do not delay seeking a medical evaluation. If you are hurt in a car accident, it is important to contact your doctor soon after to initiate the course of your care and document injuries caused by the collision. Your doctor can help you determine what treatment is appropriate for your injuries, given the local healthcare system constraints at this time.

Insurance companies tend to argue that injuries are not serious and/or not related to the accident if the victim fails to seek treatment right away.

PREPARE FOR DELAYS

COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives. You can expect the process of dealing with your accident will take longer – from medical treatment to communicating with insurance companies.

Typical insurance claim processing timelines are slower at this time. Personal injury lawsuits are experiencing court system delays and continuances. Non-emergency medical procedures, such as physical therapy, surgery, and referrals to specialists are lower priorities in an overwhelmed healthcare system.

Some insurance companies are leveraging these delays to pressure claimants into settling early for a lower offer that may not sufficiently cover damages. An experienced attorney can help you understand whether an offer is fair or undervalued.

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