After Auto Collisions, Choose Safety First
If your vehicle is in an accident and is immobile and blocking any traffic, turn on your hazard lights and call 911. After auto collisions occur, getting out of a damaged vehicle may be unsafe.
If you can continue driving, pull off the road to the closest safe location that does not block or endanger other traffic. If another driver is involved, motion for them to follow you safely off the road.
Once you are in a safe location, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Adrenaline can kick in, so take a few deep breathes and check in with your body. If you feel dizzy or out of breath, do not attempt to stand up. Ask if any passengers in your vehicle are injured. Check if anyone else involved in the accident requires aid. In many cases, injured persons should not be moved unless you have the proper training. Call 911 if necessary.
Confirm your vehicle is safe to continue driving and call a tow truck if it is not. Check for leaking fluids, lights that are not working, doors that will not close completely, damaged wheels or tires, etc. If you aren’t certain that your vehicle is safe to drive, err on the side of caution and call a tow truck.
Call For Help If Needed
Call 911 if anyone has been injured or any unsafe conditions are present due to the accident.
If your vehicle needs to be towed, call Ray’s Towing at 541-342-3344. Tell them to tow it to Old Dominion Collision Repair.
In Oregon, you must immediately notify the police, using the non-emergency number if:
- Damage to anyone’s vehicle or property is over $2,500
- Any vehicle is towed from the scene
- An injury or death resulted from the accident
Gather Information
Next, you should exchange information. Exchange information with any other parties involved in the accident, including homeowners if their property was damaged.
Oregon law requires drivers in an accident to exchange the following, no matter who is at fault.
- Name & Contact information
- Drivers License Number
- Year, Make, Model & license plates of all involved vehicles
- Insurance Company & Policy number of all involved vehicle drivers
After auto collisions happen, it can be challenging to remember all of the accident details. Take photos of the damage to all involved vehicles.
If it is safe to do so, take photos of the accident’s area, including any intersections, signage, etc.
Draw an accident map, indicating which direction both vehicles were going and how they collided.
If any witnesses are present, get their name and phone #’s as they may be of assistance when an insurer is trying to determine liability.
If you hit an unoccupied vehicle or damage someone’s personal property, Oregon law requires that you attempt to find the owner, and if you cannot, you must leave a note with your name & address and a brief description of what happened.
Additionally, if you hit and injure an animal, Oregon.gov recommends stopping to check the extent of the injury and attempt to get the animal out of traffic if it is safe to do so. You should also attempt to find the animal’s owner, and if you cannot, call the non-emergency police number to report.
Call Old Dominion Collision Center
Once you are safely off the road and have collected all the information you need, give us a call. We can walk you through the claims & repair process. When auto collisions happen, we can help you get back on the road as quickly and safely as possible!
Fill Out An Accident Report If Necessary
You may be required to fill out an Oregon Traffic Accident & Injury Report.
Download the form here: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Forms/DMV/32fill.pdf
You must fill out the report if:
- Damage to anyone’s vehicle or property is over $2,500
- Any vehicle is towed from the scene
- An injury (even if minor) or death resulted from the accident
If you need any help filling out the accident report form, please let us know.
For more tips on how to stay protected while you are on the road, please browse our other blogs.
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