THE DO NOT’S
DO NOT MOVE YOUR CAR FROM THE LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT
Yes, I know this blocks traffic and it makes no sense whatsoever, but if you move your car you are automatically guilty even if you are not at fault.
DO NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT
DO NOT MAKE ANY TYPE OF FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT
It is very common in Panama to hear this “in Panama we each pay for what happen to our own cars.” Or other people will try to ask you for money instead. Unless you are mechanic or work in the auto industry you do not know how much pieces are worth and that settlement you make will not be covered by the insurance company.
DO NOT FORGET TO GET THE OTHER PARTY’S INFO
Write down the name(s), telephone, cedula/passport number, the license plate number, and the car brand. If you carry a camera or a phone camera it’s always a good idea to take pictures. If there are any witnesses talk to them, they will usually be very cooperative.
DO NOT FORGET TO CALL/CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE BROKER
Keep the company or my cel phone (6676-5151) in your cel phone. If it’s after labor hours call the number of your insurance company’s roadside assistance (you should also keep this number in your cel or place the sticker the company gives you in your car). If it is an emergency feel free to contact us.
WHAT TO DO?
If there is no policeman nearby then you have to call the Police for them to send over a policeman who will inspect the scene.
Panama City - 232-5614 or 232-6845
Colon - 441-4197
David, Chiriqui - 776 -8125
Each insurance company has motorized drives which come to the scene of an accident and assist you as well as record and take pictures of what occurred.
- AssaMovil 205-0220
- Mundial Assist 390-9090
- HSBC Seguros 265-8255
- Generali 205-0224
- Internacional de Seguros 265-2881
- InterOceanica 265-8255
If the other party leaves the scene of the accident, call a policeman and report that a “colision y fuga” happened to you. The policeman will write a report which you should keep for the insurance company as well as for your personal records to relieve you from any future legal liability.
IN CASE OF INJURIES, WHAT TO DO?
In case the accident gets messy and there are injuries or if you run over a pedestrian, you have the responsibility to help them. Call your insurance company and let them know what happened. Depending on where you are call an ambulance or take them to the hospital. Your insurance company should send you an ambulance or call directly (all companies use one of the two bellow):
Ambulance:
- SEMM 264-4122
- ALERTA 269-1111, 800-0911
Depending on where you are it’s better to drive the person. Anywhere outside of the main cities, it is better to drive the person to the nearest hospital because ambulances can take a while to arrive.
If it’s your fault and you need to pay for the initial ingression or such, pay for it but first let the insurance company know and keep the receipts. Do not pay for any treatments or surgery. And make sure to take the police report as well.
GOING TO COURT
Thank God your policy covers for legal fees, which means you do not have to go to court! You need to ask for this benefit and there are no costs for it. Contact me (6676-5151) and the insurance company and you will need to take the citation to the insurance company and sign a release of power over to the company’s attorney.
I strongly suggest taking this benefit because courts anywhere are awful, and Panama is no exception to that rule. If you do not go to court and the lawyer doesn’t go for you, you automatically are found guilty and have to pay a fine besides the costs of the other party’s damage.
***Print this article and keep it in your car.
