English 
Español 
Accidents occur every day, especially those that involve cars. If your car has been hit, whether it happened when your car was parked or while you were driving, it’s important to act fast. There are certain steps you should take if someone hits your car, and there are specific details you need as well.
Call 911 First
First things first: you should immediately call 911 when you realize your car has been hit. This is especially important if your vehicle has sustained significant damage. The police should arrive at the scene so they can make an accident report you can later use as evidence when you file a claim with your San Diego car insurance company. Additionally, you should get the responding officer’s name and badge number.
Look Around for Witnesses
If you notice anyone around the area where your car is located or even inside stores nearby, speak to them. They might be witnesses who saw your car get hit. If anyone was actually a witness, it’s imperative that you get his or her name, contact information, and account of the incident. Doing so can greatly strengthen your claim for damages.
If there’s a store within range of your vehicle, go inside and ask if they have a video camera that faces the area in question. You might be able to get the footage to use in your claim. However, store owners might not be so willing to share this with the average person, so you might have to enlist the help of an attorney to get the footage.
Document the Accident
On top of getting witness information, you should also document the accident as best you can. You might want to write down all the pertinent details, including the date, time, weather conditions, and location of the accident. Keep notes of the specific damages your car sustained, and snap a few photos of the damage as well.
Exchange Information
If your car is hit while you’re in it and the other driver stops and stays at the scene, talk to the person to exchange information. You should get the driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information. You might also want to make note of the vehicle and its make, model number, year, and color. If your car was hit while parked, hopefully the at-fault driver left a note. If this is the case, you can contact the individual and get all this information.
These are the most important details you need if another driver hits your car. Your insurance company will be better equipped to help you if you have these things.
San Diego drivers who are looking for affordable, reliable auto insurance need look no further than Altra Insurance Services. We can satisfy many of your other insurance needs, too. Whether you need homeowners, business, or motorcycle insurance, our experienced agents will help you with coverage that’s just right for you. Call one of our friendly staff today at 619-474-6666 for a free quote.