Fender-Bender Musts

Accidents happen—no matter how careful of a driver you are. Being in a minor fender-bender might leave you flustered and frustrated, but there’s some important information you need. If you’ve just been in an accident and no one’s seriously hurt, take a moment to catch your breath and calm the shakes, then do the following.

Before anything, call 911 immediately! Don’t assume that other involved parties have already done so. Help with any injuries the other parties might have and stay clear of traffic. Use flares to alert other drivers well ahead of the accident in both directions of the roadway.

Now here are ten essential things to remember to do at the scene:

Try to move the vehicles if they’re a hazard, otherwise don’t touch the evidence. If possible, leave all involved vehicles where they came to rest after the crash until the police arrive. Try to move them carefully if they obstruct traffic or create a road hazard.

Write down the name, telephone number, and address of all involved parties. Also take down the name and phone number of any witnesses. Store a note pad and pen in your glovebox or map pocket for emergency use such as this.

Get the make, model and registration numbers for all involved vehicles, plus the name of the insurance company for each of the vehicles/drivers.

Call your insurance company’s claims line as soon as possible. If you have a cell phone, do it from the accident scene.Note the weather and road conditions at the time of the accident.

Document it all with pictures. Take photos of the accident site from several different angles, and photos of the damage on each of the involved vehicles. (Keep an inexpensive disposable camera in your glove box for this purpose, so it’s there when you need it.)

While the incident is fresh in your mind, jot down as many details of the moments before the accident. Were other vehicles behaving erratically? Obviously speeding or reckless? Not using turn signals or lights? Give this information to the police officer  making the report, and save a copy in case your insurance company has any questions.

Ask about the accident report, and secure your vehicle. Ask the police officer when and how you can obtain a copy of the police report, and where your vehicle will be towed. If the police officer deems the car drivable, go immediately to a mechanic to get a complete inspection for any mechanical damage caused by the accident. When the police report becomes available, make sure it properly shows the accident situation as you noted.

Fill in any missing information. After the accident, return to the scene and complete a detailed diagram of the accident situation, noting the importance of any other factors. Note road signs, traffic signals, lane markings, and potential obstructions in the area of the accident.

What not to do: Do not admit fault to anyone, and do not openly blame others, even if it’s obvious who’s at fault. Save your comments for the police, but do not admit fault to them either. Do not raise your voice or argue with other drivers, and don’t discuss what happened with bystanders.

Finally, if you don’t already have a flashlight, flares, a basic first-aid kit, a cell phone, and a disposable camera in your emergency kit, put them on your shopping list—and in your car—immediately. They’re essential items to have along whenever the unexpected might happen.

This might be a long list of things to remember, but if you follow these tips, you could save yourself—and your insurance company—a lot of time, grief, and added expenses.