Auto insurance, what to do in the event of an accident?

 Auto insurance, what to do in the event of an accident?
recto report

After an accident with your professional vehicle, the parties involved do not have many questions to ask. Their role is quite simple: to ascertain the facts and transmit these findings to their respective insurer. And if the accident is serious, there is only one reflex to have: call the police or the gendarmerie so that the report can be established by an indisputable third party.
The auto insurance report

It is a small form called "European joint report" because it is valid in this form throughout the European Union. It is provided free of charge to all insured by companies and mutual insurance companies. Every driver is required to have a copy with them at all times - for example, in the glove compartment of a car or the top case of a motorcycle or scooter.
It consists of two carbonless sheets:

    One for the insurer of one of the parties;
    The other for that of the other driver.

Use only one report per accident except in the event of a pile-up or an accident with several vehicles. Whatever the circumstances, and even if it's just a fuss, fill it out carefully. Indeed, its role is fundamental: it allows insurers to determine the responsibilities of each and quickly allocate compensation.
Complete the front of the auto insurance report

It is made up of three columns: Vehicle A, Circumstances, Vehicle B. Before starting to fill it in, read the instructions for use and proceed step by step. It is possible that, in shock, one of the protagonists is not able to complete the report. In this case, if there are witnesses, one of them can take care of them.

Regarding the column of the circumstances of the accident, the report provides for 17 for each of the vehicles involved. Each driver checks the boxes that correspond to what they have been through. He can tick several. Check off what really happened and not what everyone planned to do.

The form also provides for a sketch of the accident: it must be simple but precise, indicate the direction of each vehicle, their position at the time of the impact, the names of the streets, the initial point of impact, the damaged parts (be careful, this is not necessarily the same). If the sketch is in contradiction with the checked boxes, it is the latter which prevail.

To provide details on the circumstances of the accident, to express reservations about the version of the other driver, each party can use the "Observations" section. Then each sign in the central part, cut out their sheet and take it with them. As of this moment, it is forbidden to modify, on his own, the front of his copy under penalty of being prosecuted for "forgery and use of forgery".
accident report front side

If one of the drivers in question refuses to complete and / or sign the report, the other will only have to note down all the useful information concerning this driver: his registration number, the details of his certificate of insurance affixed to his windshield. After that, he will fill in the report on his own, indicating this refusal. In this hypothesis, the testimonies are important. Try to get several, making sure you note the names and contact details of the witnesses.

Always refuse any amicable settlement without finding: you are insured, you pay for it, there is no reason not to make your guarantees work. Also, if your repairs turn out to be important, the other driver will likely refuse to reimburse them. However, without the intervention of your insurer, you will have no way of forcing it. Finally, nothing says that ultimately your opponent will not fill out an amicable report on his side, declaring that you refused to fill it out.
Complete the back of the automobile insurance report

The back is a simple declaration: useful information but without legal value. Each driver alone fills in the sheet they have taken with them, for example to complete the information on the front of the report, in particular on the circumstances.

It is forbidden to make contradictions. In any case, they will not be taken into account by the insurers. In addition, once the report has been completed on both sides and signed, the insured has five working days to send it to his insurer.

When the accident is very serious, especially if one or the other or both drivers are injured, the amicable report is no longer precise enough. In this case, you have to call the police or the gendarmes, and wait for them. They are the ones who will establish an indisputable report of the accident, gathering the testimonies, and it is this document that will allow the insurers to establish liability.
accident report back