A car accident is a highly stressful event and doubly so if you also have passengers. In the moments during and just after the collision, emotions are likely to be running high. We understand that this is a confusing event and you probably have a ton of questions and it can be hard to think straight. The best tip is to take a deep breath, stay calm, and remember the following steps for what to do if you’re in a car accident:

Quick Guide to What to Do Following a Car Accident

1. Check for injuries and move to safety. In any type of disaster event, the very first thing you should always do is check for injuries and move to safety. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. If there are no serious injuries, try to move yourself and others to a safe location, such as the shoulder of the road or nearby sidewalk where you can more readily assess the situation.
2. Call the police and file a report. Once you and everyone else involved is safe then it’s time to call the police and file a report. Note that legally you don’t have to call the police if no one was injured and instead you can simply exchange insurance information with the other driver and move on. However, bringing in police as a neutral third-party and witness is often a huge boon when it comes to claims filing. Be prepared to give them the following key pieces of information:
   • Driver’s license
   • Vehicle registration card
   • Vehicle insurance information
   • Current address
3. Get the Other Driver’s Information. Whether or not you opt to include the police, you will need to exchange the following information with the other driver in the car accident:
   • Name
   • Address
   • Phone number
   • Vehicle make & model
   • License plate number
   • Insurance carrier & policy number
4. Take photos and notes then inform insurance company. To ensure your claim goes smoothly, be sure to take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any injuries. Get contact information for any witnesses and write down your account of what happened. Note that it is best to never take complete ownership of an accident. Once you have the facts clear in your mind, contact your insurance company and file the claim.

Keep this information in your glove box for reference in the event you are in an accident. For more information about car accidents or auto insurance, contact the professionals at The Marcus Group at (877) 578-9280.