| Every year, there are more than 6 million car | | | | the driver). |
| accidents in the United States, and knowing | | | | |
| what to do if you are involved in one of them | | | | 7. |
| is essential to your safety -- both | | | | |
| physically and financially. | | | | The exact location of the collision and how |
| | | | it happened. |
| When the Accident Occurs | | | | |
| | | | 8. |
| The first thing you should do is stop. Each | | | | |
| state has their own penalties for fleeing the | | | | Damage to all vehicles, and time and date of |
| scene of an accident, but if you don't stop | | | | the accident (you may even want to draw a |
| you could be later charged with a "hit and | | | | quick sketch of how the cars ended up on the |
| run." | | | | road). |
| | | | |
| Next, assess the scene with safety in mind. | | | | 9. |
| If the accident is minor and no one is | | | | |
| seriously injured, pull the car to the side | | | | Names and addresses of witnesses to the |
| of the road, out of the way of traffic. | | | | accident. |
| | | | |
| If people are hurt, do your best to help | | | | Call Your Insurance Agent Checklist: What to |
| them. Call the police and tell them you need | | | | Do in an Auto Accident ;"> Stop and pull out |
| an ambulance. If you have first-aid training, | | | | of the way of traffic (if possible). ;"> Call |
| administer it, but if not, don't move someone | | | | the police. ;"> Check for injuries and help |
| who is injured, as you could make their | | | | those you can. ;"> Warn other drivers using |
| injuries worse. The exception here is if | | | | your hazard lights. ;"> Collect the necessary |
| staying put will harm the person further | | | | information: names, addresses, phone numbers |
| (such as a car fire) -- then move them away | | | | and insurance information of those involved; |
| from the danger. | | | | accident, vehicle and injury descriptions; |
| | | | names and addresses of witnesses. ;"> Do not |
| Remain Calm | | | | admit fault, accept liability or argue with |
| | | | other drivers. ;"> Make sure the police fill |
| You should always call the police, no matter | | | | out an accident report. ;"> Call your |
| how minor the accident. The police will fill | | | | insurance agent and report the accident. ;"> |
| out an accident report, which is essential to | | | | See a doctor if you suspect you have |
| protecting your rights later -- particularly | | | | injuries. ;"> Make a claim with your (or the |
| if you're involved in an accident with an | | | | other driver's) insurance company. ;"> |
| uninsured motorist. | | | | Contact a lawyer if you are sued or need |
| | | | advice in making a claim/dealing with your |
| Make sure that you turn your hazard lights on | | | | insurance company. |
| to let traffic know that there has been an | | | | |
| accident. You may also want to set out flares | | | | After you have spoken with the police and an |
| or put the hood on your car up to alert | | | | accident report has been filed, you should |
| others. If you don't attempt to warn other | | | | call your insurance agent, as soon as |
| drivers of the accident, you could be liable | | | | possible. The sooner you do this, the sooner |
| for damage to their vehicles. | | | | your agent can begin processing your claim. |
| | | | Further, if you delay reporting the accident, |
| Meanwhile, stay calm. Do not argue with or | | | | if could affect your coverage. Some states |
| yell at the other driver, as anything you say | | | | also require that you report the accident to |
| could later be held against you. Do not say | | | | the Department of Motor Vehicles. |
| that the accident was your fault or admit any | | | | |
| type of responsibility to witnesses or others | | | | After the Accident |
| involved in the accident. You should wait for | | | | |
| the police to come, and only discuss the | | | | You and your passengers may wish to get a |
| accident with the police and your insurance | | | | check-up with a doctor if you suspect you may |
| agent. | | | | be injured. Injuries from vehicle accidents |
| | | | do not always show up immediately. Certain |
| Get the Right Information | | | | circumstances may also warrant you calling a |
| | | | personal injury lawyer, to discuss your |
| Although you will likely be shaken up | | | | rights and entitlements or your liability in |
| immediately following an accident, it's | | | | the accident. |
| essential to make a note of the following | | | | |
| information: | | | | When to Call a Lawyer |
| | | | |
| 1. | | | | Most people like to resolve things as quickly |
| | | | and as simply as possible, but there are |
| Names, addresses, and phone numbers of | | | | times when calling a lawyer is beneficial and |
| everyone involved in the accident. | | | | even necessary. These include: |
| | | | |
| 2. | | | | If a claim is made against you that exceeds |
| | | | your insurance coverage. |
| A description of the car involved (make, | | | | |
| model, year, color) | | | | To recover medical expenses or other losses |
| | | | that exceed a certain amount of money |
| 3. | | | | (depending on state). |
| | | | |
| License plate number of the other car. | | | | To recover compensation for pain and |
| | | | suffering for a serious injury. |
| 4. | | | | |
| | | | To recover compensation for a death. |
| Vehicle identification number of the other | | | | |
| car. | | | | To recover compensation from an uninsured |
| | | | driver. |
| 5. | | | | |
| | | | An auto accident can take a mental, physical |
| Insurance company, policy number and driver's | | | | and emotional toll on everyone involved. To |
| license number of the other driver. | | | | make the roads safer for everyone, drive |
| | | | courteously and alertly, and, if you like, |
| 6. | | | | check out these safe driving tips from the |
| | | | State of Illinois' "Rules of the Road. |
| The name of the car's owner (if other than | | | | |