What to Do & Know if You Are in an Auto Accident

Every year, there are more than 6 million car accidents in the United States, and knowing what to do if you are involved in one of them is essential to your safety -- both physically and financially.

When the Accident Occurs

The first thing you should do is stop. Each state has its penalties for fleeing the scene of an accident, but if you don't stop you could be later charged with a "hit and run."

Next, assess the scene with safety in mind. If the accident is minor and no one is seriously injured, pull the car to the side of the road, out of the way of traffic.

If people are hurt, do your best to help them. Call the police and tell them you need an ambulance. If you have first-aid training, administer it, but if not, don't move someone who is injured, as you could make their injuries worse. The exception here is if staying put will harm the person further (such as a car fire) -- then move them away from the danger.

Remain Calm

You should always call the police, no matter how minor the accident. The police will fill out an accident report, which is essential to protecting your rights later -- particularly if you're involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist.

Make sure that you turn your hazard lights on to let traffic know that there has been an accident. You may also want to set out flares or put the hood on your car up to alert others. If you don't attempt to warn other drivers of the accident, you could be liable for damage to their vehicles.

Get the Right Information

Although you will likely be shaken up immediately following an accident, it's essential to make a note of the following information:

1. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident.
2. A description of the car involved (make, model, year, color).
3. The license plate number of the other car.
4. Vehicle identification number of the other car.
5. Insurance company, policy number, and driver's license number of the other driver.
6. The name of the car's owner (if other than the driver).
7. The exact location of the collision and how it happened.
8. Damage to all vehicles, and time and date of the accident (you may even want to draw a quick sketch of how the cars ended up on the road).
9. Names and addresses of witnesses to the accident.

After you have spoken with the police and an accident report has been filed, you should call your insurance agent, as soon as possible. The sooner you do this, the sooner your agent can begin processing your claim. Further, if you delay reporting the accident, it could affect your coverage. Some states also require that you report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Don't neglect to contact a lawyer

A car accident is a traumatic and stressful event. At this time, it is easy for you to make mistakes that can lead to you getting a reduced compensation claim. After any accident, it is vital you contact a good accident insurance claims lawyer to help you file your claim.

A lawyer can check the strength of your case, guide you through the accident claim process, help gather evidence, and even argue for compensation on your behalf.