Accidents may happen when we travel out of state with our cars. What you probably know is that if the accident happens within your state, your insurance company can cover your claims. When you travel out of state, and a car accident happens, you should understand how your insurance company handles things. You should educate yourself so you will know what to do when a car accident arises out of state.
How To Handle Out Of State Accidents
You should know that you are still covered by the auto insurance policy you have. Most of the insurance companies in the United States include out-of-state accidents and even within neighboring territories such as the Canadian provinces. This is important for individuals that often travel to across a state or country border.
While you’re still covered when you traveled out of state, you should learn as much as you can about auto insurance laws in the states or countries where you’re going. This will help you plan better on the type of coverage you might need because requirements change from one state to another. If you’re an insured driver, you should know the type of policy your state uses, like if they cover “no-fault” insurance or not. These “no-fault” states include; Florida, Kansas, and Hawaii.
If you’re living within a state that uses the “no-fault” insurance system, when an accident happens, and you’re injured, your insurance company will pay for all your claims, not your auto insurance. All states with “no-fault” insurance policy have the same policy, and all claims will be processed in the same manner. For states that don’t use the “no-fault” insurance system, it is the responsibility of the driver who is at fault when the accident happens. It can be an expensive and lengthy process for the parties involved.
Essential Steps To Take Before Going For Any Road Trip
Contact Your Auto Insurance
Before you begin your journey, you should first contact your auto insurance company and find out whether you’re covered where you’re going or not. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information about coverage where you are traveling.
Obey Traffic Laws
Check the traffic laws of the state you’re traveling to and ensure that they’re the same as yours, sometimes traffic laws vary from one state to another, you should keep an eye on road signs during your trip. If an accident happens and it was found that you broke the law, your claims can be rejected.
Document The Accident Immediately
When you have an accident out of your state, you should document things quickly, as you may not remember as well as when the accident first happened. Here are some of the essential things you should take note of;
* File a police report immediately and make sure that you get a copy it even if it’s by email.
* Get the contact details of the party involved and their insurance details. You must take down their plate number and vehicle details.
* Take a picture of the accident scene. You should take a picture of anything that’s within the surroundings, such as street signs and location. Get contact details of eyewitnesses; write down their statements, and any other relevant information that may be useful.
* And finally you should write down exactly what happened.
* If you’re injured severely, and you need a doctor, you should call for immediate medical attention. Don’t place your health at risk because you are in another state and are afraid that injuries will not be covered by insurance.
Consider Hiring A Lawyer
You should hire a lawyer, especially if you’re injured severely. You should consider hiring a lawyer in the state in which the accident happens. If you need any legal advice or assistance concerning road trip accidents, you should contact us at Massey & Duffy to help you make the right claim.