what to do when you get into a fender bender
At that place'southward no doubtfulness that getting into a motorcar accident tin milk shake you up in every way. It can practise a number on your nervous organization and put a damper on your mean solar day. But when it comes to types of automobile accidents, they differ in severity. At that place are the types of accidents that can result in injury and (gulp) death.
On the other manus, there are fender benders, which are typically small-scale and more of an annoyance to your twenty-four hours than a life-threatening blow. They're as well one of the nearly common types of accidents as well.
According to a study on Traffic Prophylactic Facts in 2016 past The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about half of all accidents aren't reported to the constabulary and involve only minor belongings damage and no astringent injuries. More contempo data in 2019 shows that property-harm-only crashes have the highest numbers, coming in at more than 4 million, which is most double the corporeality of injury and fatal crashes combined. Read on to learn what to practise in a fender bender and what y'all should know.
What is a fender bender, exactly?
You've probably heard the term before, but what is a fender bough? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term refers to "a minor automobile blow."
The fender of your car is the part of the vehicle that curves over the wheels of the car to protect information technology. When you go into a fender bender, the fender can curve and get indented — hence the proper noun fender bough. In general, these types of accidents crusade small-scale or cosmetic holding damage merely typically not personal injuries.
Top reasons fender benders happen
Fender benders are so mutual because information technology doesn't take much to go into a small accident. Your attention strays for a second when seeing an incoming text and suddenly you rear-end the person in front of you. Hither are some common fender bough examples.
- A driver doesn't brake on fourth dimension and rear-ends the motorcar in front of them (this could be from texting, not paying attending, not slowing down far enough in accelerate, etc.)
- A driver is backing upwards and hits some other car or vice versa — the other car hits the driver backing up. This could happen in a parking lot, narrow street, or areas with bullheaded spots.
- A driver isn't paying close attending and hits a parked car (information technology happens!)
- A driver doesn't stop completely and hits some other car
In many cases, fender benders occur at a slow to moderate speed which is why they typically aren't as serious every bit an accident that causes injury or decease.
Fender benders tin can be caused by, amidst other things:
- Due to texting
- Existence too close to some other vehicle
- Not paying attending
- Not being enlightened of bullheaded spots
The all-time mode to avoid fender benders is to stay focused, avoid distractions, and practice defensive driving.
How to report a fender bough and file a claim
Even if you stay on your A-game while driving, that doesn't business relationship for other people. Other drivers could be distracted and inside mere seconds end up striking you just plenty for some bumper damage. Whether yous're at-fault or the other party is, here's what to do in a fender bough.
Step 1: Stay calm and assess the situation
Even though fender benders are relatively minor in the thou scheme of things, they're still a shock to your nervous system. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. Is anyone injure? Tin can everyone move, walk, and breathe properly?
Later determining that everyone is okay, then you lot tin can move the motorcar to a safe spot and accept a look at the damage on the vehicles. If there are injuries, call for medical attending right away.
Stride ii: Get to a safe spot
Earlier you take an inventory of the damage, make sure to get to a safety spot. You might be in the middle of the road or blocking traffic, so see if you tin can go to the side of the road. If not, put on your emergency lights to remain visible to other drivers.
Step 3: Take photos and exchange your information with the other driver
In guild to file a claim with insurance, you want to take all the data you demand. First, start past taking photos of the automobile at all possible angles that include any damage. Next, you want to exchange your personal and car insurance information with the other commuter. Each party in the fender bender should have:
- Full name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Car insurance policy number
- Car insurance provider
- Details nigh time, engagement, location, etc. regarding the fender bough
Getting all of this information ahead of fourth dimension tin can brand filing a merits easier and may assistance expedite the process.
Step four: File a police report
You also want to file a police report regarding the accident to have a paper trail. That tin can help your insurance claim. A police officer may come to the site of the fender bender or you may need to go to a station to file a study. In some cases, yous may be legally required to file a police report if the property damage is over a sure corporeality. For example, in California that amount is $1,000. Yous tin check out country reporting requirements hither.
Be sure to get a copy for yourself to take it set for your insurance. In the case of a fender bender, some people think information technology's not necessary to call the constabulary but information technology can help with your claim and make things official.
Footstep 5: Contact your car insurance provider and file a merits
After a fender bough or any accident, you want to contact your automobile insurance provider ASAP. Requite them the information outset regarding what went down. Requite the insurance agent all of the details of the accident and file a claim. Yous'll pay your car insurance deductible and submit a merits to receive funds for repairs.
What to do subsequently filing a auto insurance claim for a fender bough
Afterwards filing a claim for a fender bough, get the claim candy and pay your deductible. One time that happens, you lot may be eligible to receive funds to embrace repair costs.
Depending on your car insurance provider, you may need to practise i of the following to get an estimate for repairs:
- You may have to submit photos
- Go to an automobile repair store
- An insurance adjuster may come to review the damage to your vehicle
In one case you lot've paid your deductible, if applicable,and received an approximate, you can go to an machine shop of your choice to fix the vehicle. If yous're unsure of options, you tin always inquire your car insurance provider for recommendations.
How to forbid fender benders
Fender benders are no fun to bargain with. On one hand, you're probable prophylactic and okay, but on the other hand, you now take paperwork and repairs to bargain with. Sometimes these things are out of your control but if you want to forbid fender benders, you can take some proactive measures.
- Make sure there's enough space between you and other cars on the road
- Turn your telephone off or put it on silent while behind the wheel
- Take extra precautions and drive slowly during severe atmospheric condition weather
- Exercise defensive driving
- Brake on fourth dimension to make full stops at blood-red lights as well as stop signs
- Follow all traffic signs
- Be aware of blind spots
- Drive slowly when backing up
Taking these steps consistently can help you practice your part to avoid a fender bender.
The bottom line
Figuring out what to do in a fender bender tin be stressful, but following these steps tin make the procedure smoother. Fender benders are nobody's cup of tea, but they're quite common. You tin can do your office to stay safe on the route and if you notice yourself dealing with a fender bender, contact your insurance correct abroad.
If you're looking for an insurance company that offers a uncomplicated way to file a merits, bank check out Metromile. You lot can apply AVA, the AI claims assistant to walk you through the procedure. On top of that, yous can score affordable coverage that you pay by the mile aslope a depression base charge per unit, and so y'all never pay for more than you have to. Get a free quote with Metromile to run into how much you could save.
Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Health and Wealth show, and author of Love Debt . She's a true cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an apprentice boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to office.
Source: https://www.metromile.com/blog/what-is-a-fender-bender-and-what-to-do-when-it-happens/
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