Knowing what to do after having a fender bender can make the whole situation less stressful; thus, this post from USA Synthetics in Oklahoma City shares the steps to take after having a minor car crash.

What is a Fender Bender?

If you've had many years of driving experience, chances are you've been involved in a fender bender, or you've seen one on the road. While there is no concrete legal definition of what a fender bender comprises, the term is typically used to reference car accidents that occur at low speeds and result in seemingly minor damage, typically to the fenders of vehicles. In most cases, fender benders result from distracted driving; for example, when drivers take their eyes off the road to send a text message and don't realize that the vehicle in front of them is slowing down; and as a result, accidentally rear-end them. As you can imagine, being involved in a fender bender can be nerve-wracking and confusing; therefore, it is worth addressing the issue and learning what steps to take should you experience this inconvenience. To that end, this post from USA Synthetics will share with you some tips on how to deal with a minor car crash.

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What to Do if You Are in a Fender Bender?

For Starters, Remain Calm

Whether your vehicle is rear-ended or you are the driver who accidentally bumps the car in front of you, remain calm. Of course, it's normal to feel upset after having a fender bender; however, avoid making decisions out of agitation. Instead, take a few moments to breathe and regain your composure after the impact; once you feel more collected, get out of your car with caution from oncoming traffic and calmly approach the other driver to resolve the inconvenience.

Report the Crash

Even in a minor car accident, it's best to call the police to file a police report with the insurance company. To better understand this, remember that even a minor dent caused by a fender bender can be costly; on top of that, some injuries caused by a minor crash may go unnoticed until showing symptoms a couple of days after the accident. So, in the event of having a fender bender, be sure to call the police to get a report describing how the accident unfolded; doing so will be of great help in presenting your claim to the insurance company.

Document the Accident

If you have a fender bender, don't forget to take as many photos and videos as possible to show how the accident unfolded. On the whole, you'll need photos from every angle of your vehicle and the other car as well, especially its license plate.

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Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Another critical step to take in a fender bender is to exchange information with the person you had the accident with. In general, the most important thing is to ask them for their insurance information; that is, what is the name of their insurance company and their insurance policy identification. If possible, exchange addresses, phone numbers, a photo of each other's driver's licenses, and vehicle registrations as well. In general, this information will help you describe the accident to your insurance company afterward.

Call Your Insurance Company

Finally, contact your insurance company to report the fender bender and ask for assistance on what steps to take next. In doing so, have all the information you gathered from the accident ready as they will most likely ask for information about the other driver involved in the accident, photos of the scene, and even the police report. If you decide to initiate a claim, be sure to contact the other driver's insurance company so that they can assign you a claims handler.

Avoid getting into a fender bender caused by a car's malfunction; to that end, take good care of your vehicle and improve its safety by giving it the most reliable synthetic oil change in Oklahoma City. Call USA Synthetics at (405) 388-6170 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order for the top-performing motor oils.