The author of this article was in an accident last month (No Fault and no injuries, thankfully), and as it had been so many years since he was last in one, he realized how little he remembered. So we here at Broadway Imports thought we'd do a Public Service and remind you of what you need to do in those unfortunate circumstances, because let's face it: accidents do happen.
When do I fill out an accident report?
You must file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report (Form 735-32) with DMV within 72 hours when any of these conditions apply:
- If damage to the vehicle you were driving is over $1,500
- If damage to any vehicle is over $1,500 and any vehicle is towed from the scene as a result of damages from this accident;
- If injury or death resulted from this accident; or
- Damages to any one person's property other than a vehicle involved in this accident is over $1,500.
When do I need to call the police? Should I call the State, City, or County Police?
- Pretty much when the conditions for filing a traffic report are met, you should be calling the police. As the author's accident happened around 5:30AM on a Saturday morning, no police offices were answering their phones. Eventually the police showed up and the advice the State Trooper gave was: call 911. Even though this specific accident wasn't considered an emergency, it's perfectly okay to call 911 and they will connect to you the police. The police can get hold of whichever jurisdiction needs to show up, if it's not theirs.
What else do I need to do to if I'm in an accident?
The full responsibilities are:
- Stop at Once
- Stop at the accident scene or as close as possible without needlessly blocking or endangering other traffic. "Hit and run" is a serious traffic crime. Conviction will mean your driving privileges will be revoked or suspended.
- Render Aid
Give any reasonable aid to injured persons. Remember, injured people should never be moved carelessly. In many cases, they should not be moved at all until it is possible to get an ambulance or someone trained in first aid to the scene. If a driver is involved in an accident in which a person is killed or rendered unconscious, the driver is required to remain at the scene of the accident until a police officer arrives. Failure to do so is classified and punishable as a "hit and run."
Exchange Information (printable checklist to keep in your car) -Give to the other driver, passengers in the vehicle, or any injured pedestrian your: -Name; -Address; -Driver license number; -License plate number of your vehicle; and -Your insurance information. -Report the Accident to DMV Note: If you would like to maintain a record of your accident report, be sure to make a copy before sending the original to DMV.
What if I hit an unattended vehicle or damage property?
If you hit an unoccupied vehicle, try to find the owner. If you cannot find the owner, leave a note that identifies you as the person who hit the unattended vehicle and how to contact you. By law, ORS 811.700(1)(B), you are required to write your name and address on the note, and a brief description of what happened. If you damage property other than a motor vehicle, you also must try to find the owner or someone in charge of the property to report the damage.
What if I hit an animal?
If you hit and injure an animal, stop and make an effort to check the extent of injury. Give reasonable attention to the animal. What you can do may vary with traffic hazards at the time or the animal's demeanor. If possible, you should try to get the animal out of the way of traffic. Immediately report the animal's injuries to its owner. If you are unable to locate the owner, report the injuries to the nearest police agency.
When should I move my car from the scene of the accident?
If you are involved in a crash or collision on the highway, you have no injury, and it is safe to drive your vehicle to the shoulder of the highway or to a designated parking area, move your vehicle from the crash site. This helps minimize the obstruction of traffic and you will avoid being cited for failure to remove your motor vehicle.
source of accident info: Oregon DMV http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/index.aspx
Though we can't stop accidents from happening, we can help your car reduce the risk of an accident by keeping its tires and breaks in tip-top condition. Call Broadway Imports at 503.282.0817 to schedule a brakes check, tire rotation, wipers, oil change, tuneup, or whatever else your car needs.
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