Tips On What To Do And Not To Do If You Are Involved In A Fender Bender

Minor collisions are a fact of life even for the most careful drivers. A fender bender can happen to you even if you keep a safe distance from other vehicles and practice defensive driving. On the flip side, certain situations can certainly contribute to you causing a fender bender, such as distraction or by being in a hurry. So what should you do and not do if you’re involved in fender bender? Check the following tips below to prevent yourself from accruing unnecessary costs and insurance claims if you are involved in a fender bender situation. 

What To Do

• Stop and move your vehicle somewhere safe: if you have been rear-ended or have been involved in a minor collision, turn on your hazard lights immediately and move your vehicle (if possible) out of the way of traffic. Safety is paramount in this situation. By moving your vehicle onto a shoulder or a side street, you are ensuring that traffic won’t back-up behind you and that you are safely out of the way of other vehicles.  

• Take detailed notes: use your phone camera to take pictures of any damage done to your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the fender bender. Make sure to have the other driver’s licence plate number, insurance information, and driver ID. This way, you won't have to have the police involved if it's just a minor collision. 

• Take a few deep breaths: it is important to have composure even after a minor collision. You may still be full of adrenaline, so take a few deep breaths and take some time to calm yourself down before you decide to drive off from the scene of the fender bender.

• Call your insurance broker: when you get home, call your insurance broker and give them details of the fender bender situation. This way, your broker  is aware of the situation and will help you with the next steps involved in assessing your claim.

• Submit a report: most Canadian provinces require drivers to submit a police report following a collision. Although the rules vary from province to province, in Ontario you have 24 hours to make a report to a vehicle collision centre if the damage to your vehicle is less than $2,000. 

What Not To Do

• Leave the scene of the fender bender: if you fail to stop at the scene of the fender bender and decide to drive off, you may be charged with a hit-and-run under Canadian law. This can carry criminal charges, so make sure to remain at the scene if you are at fault or not.  

• Argue with the other driver: even though emotions may run high after a fender bender, do not get into a shouting match with the other driver. Instead, take a few deep breaths, calm down, exchange any necessary information, and safely drive off. 

• Fall victim to fraud: scammers prey on people who are involved in minor collisions by requesting more information other than your basic licence and insurance information. They may try to make you accept fault for the fender bender, or ask for a cash payout. 

If you would like to know how we can best provide you with the necessary insurance coverage in such unforeseen circumstances as a fender bender, please contact us today so that we can best suit your insurance needs.