How to Deal With a Minor Car Accident

There's the saying that "accidents happen," and that applies to car accidents as well. When you take the responsibility of driving, you also take on the task of knowing how to deal with a minor car accident. It's best to prepare yourself for if (or when) that time may come.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Plan ahead. Because an accident may happen at any time, having a "kit" for that purpose is ideal. Your kit should include, among other things, your insurance information, pen and paper, road flares, a camera, as well as contact information in your local area for safety personnel and automobile services, such as a tow truck.

2. Remain calm. After an accident, collect yourself mentally and calm yourself by taking deep breaths before getting out of your vehicle.

3. Determine injuries, if any. Make sure you're uninjured before you leave your automobile. Because injuries may present themselves at a later time after the accident, it's best not to make statements concerning your overall health. Inquire as to the injuries and health of the other driver(s) involved in the accident.

4. Evaluate the scene and situation. If you're on a busy street, be sure to set up road flares in order to alert other traffic of an accident. Walk around the scene and view the vehicles to determine their damage, as well as drivability.

5. Document the accident. Using your "kit" from Step 1, draw a diagram of the locations of the cars and make notes as to the weather, road conditions and traffic flow, at the time of the accident. Take pictures of the vehicles as they appear from the accident, and then, if possible, move them off of the driving roadway into a safe location.

6. Exchange your contact information with the other driver, and obtain any witness's contact information.

7. Make your insurance company aware of the accident in the event of future claims against your policy.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the police if you feel unsafe. Tempers can flare up after an accident, even a minor one. If at any time you feel threatened, seek help immediately.
• Never admit fault to any accident.
• Because each state has different laws concerning accidents and when you must contact police, it's important you become familiar with what your state requires.