Oregon has strict roadway laws, but that does not stop the total number of traffic fatalities from rising. There was a sharp increase in the number of deaths on Oregon roads in 2016 compared to 2013, according to a report from Statesman Journal.
There is much to take care of following a motor vehicle accident, such as filing a police report, contacting your insurance agency and taking photos of the scene. However, all this becomes much more difficult when the other driver is unreasonably angry. It is vital to maintain your calm after a car crash, but you want to make sure you handle angry drivers the right way so that you do not jeopardize your insurance claim.
Listen and stay calm
It is paramount that you do not return any anger you receive from the other driver. When it is your time to talk, you need to calmly explain that you need to call 9-1-1. However, even if you remain calm, the other driver may not back down.
Another important thing to remember is to not admit anything. Saying “I’m sorry” may seem like a good way to assuage this person, but a statement like that can imply you hold some of the fault for the collision. You do not have all the facts about how the accident happened, and you do not have to admit anything at this time. Even when the police arrive, you do not have to admit blame.
Ask a pedestrian to call the police
You always need to contact the police after a car accident. However, in the event that the other driver acts erratically, you may not feel comfortable doing this. The other driver may actively try to stop you from calling the police. In this instance, have someone else make the call. You should also try to remove yourself from the proximity of the other driver if you do not feel safe. You can go inside a nearby store and wait until the cops arrive at the scene.
