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What do I do if I Have Been Injured in an Accident?

According to the statistics by the National Safety Council, one in eight licensed drivers is involved in an automobile accident each year (nearly 34 million annually). If you are involved in an accident, remain calm and follow the tips provided below to lessen the stress caused by this unfortunate situation.

• Stop your vehicle and, if necessary, move it to a safe position near the location of the accident. The law requires that you stop at the accident scene; failure to do so could result in a traffic ticket or a warrant for your arrest.
• Contact the police. The police will advise you if their response to the scene is necessary. Contact the police if the accident involves a hit and run, if there are injuries to people, or if it is apparent that liability will be disputed. If police are present at the scene of the accident, get the police officer's name, phone number, and the police report number.
• Do not admit fault. Give details of the accident and cooperate with the police in providing answers to their questions.
• Check all involved parties for injuries. Everyone who can walk should move to a safe location. If necessary, call 911 for medical assistance.
• Exchange contact information (names, addresses, and phone numbers) with all parties involved in the accident.
• Get the year, make, model, license plate number, insurance carrier, and insurance policy number for all vehicles involved.
• Identify any witnesses to the accident and gather their contact information.
• If your vehicle is not drivable, call a towing company to move your vehicle. Get the name, address, and phone number of the towing company.
• If you have a camera in your possession, take photos of the damage to the vehicle, accident scene, and people involved - most cell phones now have this feature.
• As soon as possible, contact your insurance company to report the accident (even if you are not at fault).
• Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report for your records, whether or not you are at fault.

In case of emergency, you should always keep the following information in your vehicle:

• ID card & vehicle registration
• Keep a list of emergency contacts
• List of medical conditions, allergies, or a condition that may require special attention
• Pens or pencils
• Paper or notepad
• Flashlight
• Flares
• First-aid kit
• Blanket
• Jumper cables
• Rag or paper towels
• Trash bag
• Disposable camera