Step-by-step instructions on how to protect yourself if you are in a car accident.

Auto accidents are a major cause of disabling injuries and deaths across the country.

The facts about car accidents are alarming:

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents killed 43,443 Americans in 2005.
• Another 2,494,000 people were injured in car accidents in that year alone.
• Of those killed in road accidents, three out of four were motor vehicle occupants.
• Around 4,550 of the deceased victims were motorcyclists.
• Another 5,665 of the people killed in car crashes were bicyclists or pedestrians.
• Nearly 17,000 of fatal car accidents were related to alcohol use.

A car accident can be a very upsetting experience. But it is very important not to panic after a car accident. Instead, keep a clear head.

First and foremost, keep calm.

Focus first on taking action to protect yourself and help other car accident victims. Do not discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police. Don’t blame anyone, not even yourself. Never argue with the other driver, even if you are sure that person caused the car accident.

Second, get help

Do not leave the scene of the car accident. Call 9-1-1 from the scene of the car accident to inform the police about the collision. If someone was injured, ask the 9-1-1 operator to dispatch emergency medical personnel to the scene of the car accident immediately.

Post flares, if you have them, to warn other drivers to slow down and avoid the people and vehicles involved in the car accident.

Get driver data

Fill in the name, address, phone number, driver’s license number and state, license plate number, registration, and auto insurance information, including the insurance policy number.

Property data

If the driver of the other vehicle was not the owner, enter the name, address, insurance company, and auto insurance policy number of the owner of that vehicle.

injured parts

Ask the police about all injured parties, including the passengers in the cars. If possible, write down their names, addresses, dates of birth, gender, and extent of injuries.

witnesses

Look around you for anyone who may have seen the car accident, including bystanders and occupants of other vehicles. Be sure to write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all these witnesses.

Damages

Write down the make, body type, year, and license number of all motor vehicles involved in the car accident. Also, note the damage to each of the vehicles.

car accident scene

Draw a diagram of the location of the car accident. Mark street names and the location of traffic lights, traffic control signs, or other landmarks. Note the path of each motor vehicle just before the crash site.

protect your health

After a car accident, get medical attention. Sometimes because accident victims are too dazed right after a serious collision to know if they were hurt or not. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your personal doctor as soon as possible. Tell your doctor about the motor vehicle collision, so he or she can check for internal injuries that could result from a traumatic accident.

Report the Car Accident

If the police did not arrive at the scene of the car accident, call the police to file a report as soon as you can make a phone call. If the driver of the other vehicle fled the scene of the accident, you should still report the car accident to the police. Get a copy of the police report whenever it is available.

File a car insurance claim

Tell your auto insurance company about the car accident right away and get an insurance claim number. Ask the auto insurance representative to open a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) file to preserve all of your rights under your policy.

Be sure to tell your insurance company if you were in a hit and run car accident. Some insurance policies require notification of a claim involving an unidentified driver within 30 days of the car accident.

Tell your own auto insurance company that you claim your right to any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, in the event the car or truck that hit you was not covered by motor vehicle insurance. Insurance companies often require immediate notification of these claims and can deny these benefits to anyone who does not meet the strict requirements of their policies.