Auto-accident ABCs
It can happen to even good drivers. You are driving along to the grocery store or to visit a friend, and suddenly you find yourself in an auto accident. In fact, the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) reports that 6,276,700 non-fatal crashes occurred in the United States in 2003.
Do you know what to do once your car is struck? Read on to learn how to be prepared if it happens to you.
First, remain calm. If possible, stop your car in a safe and visible place. If your car cannot be moved, turn on the hazard lights and turn off the ignition. Be careful when exiting your car, especially if there is traffic. Most important, find out if anyone is injured. Do not move a seriously injured person. Call the police immediately, even if the accident appears minor.
Write down the other car's year, make, model and license-plate number. In the event that the other person drives away, you will still have some information to report to police. Next, get the driver's name, address and license number, and the name of his or her insurance company. If the driver is not the owner, get the owner's name.
Get the names and addresses of passengers or witnesses. Next, take note of specific details. Accident circumstances, time of day, location, weather conditions and visibility are all crucial information that you will likely be asked for by police and your insurance company. Write it down now before you forget details.
Notify your insurance agent about the accident immediately. Even if you are at fault, do not admit it to the other driver or police until you have contacted your insurance agent. Do not accept any money or sign anything unless it is for the police or your insurance agent.
Naturally, all of these steps are contingent upon your being uninjured in the crash. If you are injured, try to call 911, or wait for an ambulance to arrive.
Being involved in an auto accident will always be a complicated and frightening experience. But if you know what to do after it happens, you will save yourself a lot of time and stress down the road.
