On the road, no one can truly be safe: a little carelessness can be enough to cause a big disaster. Quebec’s variable weather conditions also pose road risks. Keep reading to discover what to do in the case of an unfortunate accident.
Keep your Cool
In the event of an injury, the first thing to do is to contact the appropriate authorities as soon as possible. Dial 9-1-1! Once the situation is stabilized and no longer life-threatening, you can think about taking the right steps to resolve the incident.
In Quebec, we are fortunate to be entitled to the SAAQ compensation fund, which intervenes in cases of bodily injury on the road. Whether or not you are at fault in an accident, you are entitled to this government service. According to the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), approximately 35,000 people have sought compensation following an accident since 2010.
Are Police Reports Mandatory?
If the accident did not cause any injuries, you are not required to have the police come and fill out a report. However, the following information is important to obtain in order to help the insurer's adjuster settle your claim:
- Contact information of other drivers and witnesses
- License plate and driver's license numbers, name of their insurer.
- Date, time, location and circumstances of the accident.
- Vehicle layout and details of the impact
Accident reports are designed to gather the information required by insurers.
Note that if the police come to your home, they will not determine who was at fault for the accident. This responsibility falls insurance company, based on the information provided to them.
The Amicable Report
The amicable report is a document available from your broker and the SAAQ. It is useful and easy to fill out, and allows your insurance company to determine your responsibility in an accident. Keep one in your vehicle! Using it will probably speed up the settlement of your claim.
What Happens Next?
Once you have sent your documents to your insurance company, they will conduct a full analysis of your case. To learn more about the different stages of a claim, speak to one of Lussier's experts!
