How To Use Your Smartphone To Protect You After An Accident
Brian O Sutter
Traffic Accidents
The worst has happened and you’ve been in a car wreck. Luckily, you have the best tool available to help protect you, your passengers, and your assets right in your pocket. Your smartphone is a great tool to use after an accident to document and report the accident. Here is how to use your smartphone when you’ve been in an accident.Report The Accident
The first way a smartphone can help you after an accident is to help you immediately report the accident. First you will want to contact the police or any other first responders depending on the severity of the accident. Then you can use your phone contact your insurance company and make an immediate claim. Many insurance companies now have apps that you can download, so you can immediately fill out the claim form while the details are still fresh. Finally you can use your phone to contact any roadside assistance services to tow or move your vehicle out of the way of traffic and your mechanic to quickly schedule a full check up and any necessary repairs.
Store Important Contact Details
There is a lot of information you will need to collect immediately after an accident. With a smartphone you can save the contact and insurance details of other parties or witnesses involved in the accident, as well as the responding officer’s information and contact. You can also take any important notes with your note or voice recorder apps so you don’t forget important details once you’ve left the scene. This is especially useful since most accidents trigger trauma, shock, or panic, and it is hard to think clearly, no less take time to note all the details of the crash.
Document The Accident
Smartphones are equipped with both cameras and video cameras. These tools are invaluable after an accident. Make sure that you take pictures of the scene of the accident, the road, the damage to your vehicle, the damage to the other vehicle, and any other important detail, no matter how small, that can be used as evidence during the claims process. Do not be afraid to over document. One of the best things about smartphones is that you have a lot of storage, especially if you integrate with the cloud. So snap as many pictures and videos as possible.
Take Advantage Of Apps
There are several apps that you can quickly download once you’ve been in an accident that can help. Apps like “Auto Accident Wizard” on iOS or “Help I’ve Crashed My Car” on Android, that are tailor made to help guide you through the post accident process. These apps offer live assistance to accident victims and guide them step by step through the accident resolution process from the first crash to resolution of your claim. Most of these apps are free or offer in-app purchases to improve your process. Also most insurance companies now have apps that can help you through the accident process that you can download. Insurance company apps will help you quickly check over your policy to make sure you are covered and will let you report a claim on the spot. They may also contain on site instructions that specifically help their claims department resolve things more quickly.
Smartphones are an amazing tool, especially after accident. With your smartphone you can document, collect, and record any necessary information. You can also use a myriad of available tools to help make the claims process go smoother. However, if you’ve been in an accident and you have collected all the right information with your smartphone and are still not receiving the compensation you deserve, contact one of our attorneys at All Injuries Law Firm. Our helpful staff can build a great case off what you’ve documented and fight to protect you, your family, and your assets. Call us today!