BE PREPARED – Although you may be lucky enough to never be involved in an automobile accident, having a small “accident kit” ready in advance can help alleviate some of the stress you are likely to have if you are. Here is a list of items to consider keeping in your kit:

• A pen and paper for taking notes
• A disposable camera (if your cellphone does not have one)
• Proof of insurance
• Card with medical information (allergies or any special conditions)
• List of emergency contacts
• Flashlight

Options for your trunk:

• Set of small orange cones
• Reflective warning triangles
• Emergency flares

Also, know what your insurance covers. When something does happen and you need to file a claim, the whole process will be much easier and a lot less stressful if you know what to expect. For example, don’t wait for an accident to find out your policy doesn’t cover for a replacement rental car, when you could have had the coverage for only a couple more dollars a month. Check your policy for specifics.
TRY TO REMAIN CALM – After a crash, you may feel several different emotions, such as guilt, fear, anger, nervousness, or shock. Any or all of these are normal. Don’t panic; this will only make matters worse. The calmer you are, the better you will be able to handle the situation. You need to be calm to determine the extent of the damage and if there are any injuries needing immediate medical attention.
THINK SAFETY – If you can, check all parties involved for injuries. If you cannot move, keep your seatbelt fastened, turn on your hazard lights and wait for help to arrive. If possible, vehicles should be moved out of the way of other traffic. Leaving cars parked on a busy road or blocking traffic can result in additional accidents or injuries. If you cannot move the vehicles, set up cones or warning triangles. Call 911 to report the accident to the Police (and Rescue if needed).

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY – Limit your discussion with the other driver only to find out if they are okay. Never admit to any fault or liability, or say “I’m sorry,” as it could be used against you later. Everyone is shook up after an accident and wants to talk about it, but doing so can lead to confusion. To help keep your thoughts straight, it may be useful to jot down a few notes while waiting for law enforcement to arrive. Once the police arrive on scene, you can speak with them about the details of the accident.
GATHER INFORMATION – The police exchange sheet and their report will provide you with some information, but you may want some more for yourself and your insurance company. If you are able, while the police are interviewing the other driver, try to collect some of the following:

• Description of the other vehicle
• Photos of the damaged vehicles
• Photos of the accident site
• Witness contact information (if there are any)
REPORT THE CLAIM – Call your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report the accident.
THE AFTERMATH – While the experience of the accident itself is upsetting, sometimes dealing with the aftermath can be also. It is not unusual, in the hours or days following a collision, for some people to feel shaken up. The may keep going over the “what ifs” or have thoughts of guilt or anger – especially if they consider the accident was avoidable. Normally after some time passes, when the insurance companies have been dealt with, the bumps and bruises have healed, and the car has been repaired, most accidents become just unpleasant memories. In some extreme cases where a person has experienced a major event, seriously injuring someone, cases of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been known to occur. Signs of PTSD may or may not show up immediately, but could take as long as several months after the accident before appearing.
INCREASED PREMIUMS – If you were responsible for the accident, you will probably see an increase in your policy premium for the next few years. They vary from company to company, but most range from 20 to 40 percent of your base rate.