Traffic Accident — What to do.
What do you do if you’re involved in a traffic accident?
There is an almost zero likelihood of being involved in a car accident on your vacation. But just to be on the safe side, here’s our guide to what to do if you are:
1. Vehicle(s) involved in the incident must not be moved. This is normal procedure and other road users are used to this type of hold up.
2. Make sure that you and your passengers are a safe distance away from moving traffic and the vehicle. Call 911 for an ambulance if anyone involved has been injured.
3. Call 911 to report the accident to the police and INS on 800-800-8000 to request an insurance assessor at the scene. If your Spanish is not adequate to make these calls, call your car rental agency for assistance — 911 services provide English speakers. Be prepared to wait between forty-five minutes and two hours, depending on your location.
4. Display the emergency yellow triangle fifteen feet from the vehicle to warn other road users of the hazard.
5. Take photos of the scene and collect relevant information such as license plate numbers, names and phone numbers from other vehicle owners and witnesses.
6. Have your documentation ready to present to the transit police officer: driver’s license, rental agreement, and official car documentation.
7. When the transit police officer arrives, give your version of events and sign the document when it is completed.
8. The insurance assessor will also take your account of events and provide you with a document to sign.
9. Maintain both the police and insurance documents in a safe place to present to the car rental agency.
10. If the vehicle is safe to drive, then continue your journey with caution. The car rental agency will help to arrange a tow truck and alternative transportation if not.
We’re sure that you won’t need this information, but we’d just like you to have it anyway. Have a safe vacation!
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