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What to do in a car accidentA car accident is a very confusing and hectic event. Here is a checklist of the things you need to have ready. The more prepared and aware of what to do you are, the most likely is that you remember what to do, and make better decisions.

Be prepared with the following

  • Always have in your car: driver’s license, registration, and insurance card that includes policy number and the phone number to call in case of an emergency.
  • If you cell phone is not also a camera phone, keep a disposable camera in your car so you can take pictures of the car locations and damages at the scene of the accident.
  • Have a cell phone to call the police
  • Paper and pencil to exchange contact information with the other driver.

Right after the initial impact

  • Figure out the position of your car. If you are in the middle of the road or in a dangerous place, pull over and park by the side of the road where you are out of harm’s way
  • Take few moments to put yourself together. You might be shaking after the initial impact. Take deep breaths
  • Stop your car, turn it off, and turn on the flashing lights. If you continue driving after an accident or hitting somebody, you could be charged with Hit and Run or leaving the scene of the accident
  • If safe, get out of the car to the side of the road to make the phone calls. This way you avoid the possibility of being hit by an incoming car that doesn’t have enough time to avoid your car parked by the side of the road.

At the car accident scene

  • Are you, any of the passengers in your car, or passengers in the other vehicle injured? Call emergency 911 to request an ambulance if anybody needs medical attention.
  • Be polite and avoid initial confrontation or blame
  • After this traumatic event, it might be difficult to remember to take pictures and to write down detailed notes. However, it is important that you record these details.
    Take pictures from different angles of the cars, road conditions and other factors that may have contributed to the accident, such as missing road signs or road garbage.
  • Write down all the details you can remember. Organize your thoughts before talking to the police.
  • Don’t make any comments to the other driver, witnesses, police or anyone else about who is responsible for the car accident . Don’t take blame even if you are not sure if you might have caused the accident
  • Don’t’ call the insurance company right away and get all details straight before calling
  • Get a copy of the report.

You don’t have to report the car accident to the insurance right away, so take a couple of hours to organize your case and thoughts, before calling to report