On average, there are six million car accidents every year in the U.S. That's roughly 16,438 per day.[1] While no one wants to think about experiencing an auto accident, it's clear that drivers on the road need to be prepared to handle these frequent, and yet unexpected occurrences. Consider the following an Auto Accident Road Map.

  1. Assess injuries. Immediately after an accident, check to see if anyone is hurt. If immediate medical attention is required, stay calm and contact emergency services. Even if injuries don't appear to be serious, emergency services should be contacted. Not only are medical professionals more capable of diagnosing an injury, but their assessment and documentation of the situation come in handy if an insurance claim is filed later.

  2. Contact the police. If you contact 911, the police will be called to your location. Even if no one is injured, the police will file an official accident report, which will be helpful when filing an insurance claim. Remember: DO NOT leave the scene of an accident before the police arrive as it could result in a hit and run charge.

  3. Document evidence. Use the camera on your phone to take photos of the vehicles involved, the general area where the accident occurred, any skid marks or other roadway items that help illustrate the crash impact.

  4. Move your vehicle. If the accident is minor and leaves your vehicle in the middle of the roadway, move it to the side of the road if possible. This will make conditions safer for other motorists and lessen the chance of another accident. If a car will not start after a collision, you could put it in neutral and attempt to push it out of the way. Again, if it is safe and permissible to do so. However, if you or anyone else is injured, or if a vehicle is badly damaged, it's best to leave it where it is while waiting for emergency services to arrive. Also, be sure it is safe to exit your vehicle before doing so. Getting out of your car on a busy roadway could lead to more accidents. Remember to turn on your vehicle's hazard lights to notify oncoming traffic of the accident. 

  5. Collect information. Once it is safe to do so, exchange information with the other drivers involved in the accident and any witnesses on the scene. Collect and give names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses and auto insurance policy information. Vehicle make and model, as well as license plate number, are important details to document as well. Remember to obtain the police report number, phone number, officer names, badge numbers and other necessary information from first responders. Drivers should also make note of the accident location.

    While collecting information, refrain from discussing the incident in detail with other drivers and witnesses. Emotions can run high in times of crisis and saying something that could be construed as admitting liability later could lead to a lawsuit. And lastly, do not sign any document unless it is for the police or your insurance agent.

  6. Contact your broker/insurer. Once the proper authorities have been contacted, it's essential to get in touch with your insurance company immediately. Your insurer will assign a representative to your case to help guide you through the next steps.

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[1] https://www.driverknowledge.com/car-accident-statistics/