What to do at a accident

• Take a breath. Try to relax (we know it’s hard). Then check to make sure you’re all right. No injuries? Great. Now make sure no one else in your vehicle or the other vehicle is injured.
   
• If there has been an injury, call 911 for help. Don’t leave the scene of an accident until all matters have been taken care of. Move your vehicle only if its position puts you in danger or you are instructed to move it by a police officer.
   
• Give only the necessary and requested information to police and other parties involved in the accident. Do not spontaneously discuss your personal condition, mental frame of mind, or anything unrelated to the accident. This will help guard against post-accident legal action.
   
• If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the towing service will be taking it. Get a card from the tow truck operator or write down the driver’s name, the service’s name and phone number.
   
• Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it’s towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance information and registration if you keep these items in your vehicle.
   
• Gather the important information you’ll need from the other driver.
   
• If it’s possible, call your insurance company from the scene of the accident. They’ll walk you through the information they’ll need. If they ask for a police report, don’t worry. Just phone or go to the police department’s headquarters the next day and you can get a copy of the report for a nominal fee. In some states with “no fault” insurance laws, a report may not be necessary. This is especially true if there are no injuries and both vehicles are drivable.
   
• Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and make sure you understand what work will be performed on your vehicle. If you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome this opportunity.