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One out of every eight drivers will be involved in an accident this year. Be prepared for the worst.
At The Scene:
The law in most places requires that you stop, whether the accident involves a moving car, parked car, a pedestrian or property. If the accident is minor and involves property damage only, move the vehicles to the side of the road, out of the flow of traffic. Put hazard lights on, turn off the engine, and place the vehicle in park with the parking brake on. Stay out of traffic and remain calm while getting in and out of the vehicle and exchanging information. If the accident is more serious and involves injury and/or the vehicles can't be moved, try to shut off all engines, turn on the hazard lights, and place the gear in park with the parking brake on. 2. Help the injured You are required to give reasonable assistance to injured persons. For serious accidents, call 911 and give the best and most exact description of the location of the accident scene as possible. Those not injured should get out of the vehicles, help others to safety, and watch out for their own safety. If someone is injured, seek medical help immediately. If you're qualified, administer first aid and make injured passengers as comfortable as possible. If you are not trained in first aid, do not move someone who is badly hurt; you might make the injury worse. However, you should move someone who is in danger of being hurt worse or killed, even if you do make the injury worse. 3. Alert other motorists To avoid additional collisions, try to warn other motorists that an accident has occurred. Placing flares on the road, turning on your car's hazard lights and lifting the engine hood are good ways to warn oncoming traffic. You should carry a supply of flares in your car. Use them at intervals of ten feet from the rear of the accident scene and to the side if the vehicle protrudes from oncoming traffic. 4. Collect information Take notes on the accident and write down information about the other driver and car, witnesses, passengers, accident location and more. Many insurance companies can provide you with an accident checklist to keep in your glove compartment. Since many records now are confidential under the law, you may not be able to obtain the information that you want from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). So be sure to get as much correct and complete information as you can at the scene of the accident. |
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