A car accident can be a stressful and frustrating experience. It's important to know what to do immediately following an auto accident to protect your safety, and make the process following the accident run much more smoothly.
Prevention is the best medicine, even when it comes to car accidents. Keep helpful items you may need in an emergency in the trunk of your car at all times. Make sure you have a set of cones, warning triangles, or emergency flares packed away. Have a pen handy in your car, as well as a card with important medical information on it pertaining to you and the members of your family.
Immediately following an accident:
Remain calm and assess the situation.
Check to see if you are injured. Your life and health are more important than anything else at the moment. If you are unsure of your medical state, call an ambulance to make sure everything is fine.
If the accident is minor, move the cars to a safer location to avoid the risk of being stuck amidst moving traffic.
Turn on hazard lights and use cones, warning triangles, or flares if needed.
Call the police, no matter how minor the accident.
Notify your insurance agent right away.
Refrain from signing any documents unless it is for the police or your insurance agent.
Write down notes about the accident, including damages sustained by all vehicles involved in the accident. If the name of the driver doesn't match the name listed on the auto registration or insurance policy, find out who the person is and write down his/her name. Ask for witness information if possible.
Be courteous but don't tell anyone the accident is your fault, even if you believe it was. Don't accuse the other drivers of fault. Stick to the facts until everyone calms down and you can figure out what really happened. Only discuss the accident with the insurance agent and police.
Photograph the accident scene if you have a camera at hand.
