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Do you know what to do if you are in an auto accident? The decisions you make at this crucial time could save you thousands of dollars, and your life.

Do you know what to do if you are in an auto accident? The decisions you make at this crucial time could save you thousands of dollars, and your life.

Be Prepared Ahead of Time

Make sure you have all necessary information and tools available to alert emergency personnel and document damage in the event of an accident. If you have any specific medical needs, keep a sheet with the information in the glove compartment. Also keep a notepad, pen, first aid kit, seat-belt cutter, and a disposable camera in your car to take down information from others and document crash damage. Of course, you should always have your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and coverage information.

Immediately Following the Accident

Safety first – Immediately check yourself, and then others in your vehicle, for injuries. If you suspect a head or neck injury, do not move the victim. Rather, try to stabilize the head to keep it in place. Moving someone with a head or neck injury can cause permanent damage and even death.

Put pressure on wounds with severe bleeding by using clothing or towels.

If in doubt, always call an ambulance to make sure all potential injuries are treated. Always call the police to file a police report, which is very important when filing insurance claims.

Once everyone is safe

If it is safe to do so, immediately begin collecting contact information from the other parties as well as witnesses. Exchange driver’s license number, vehicle registration number, and coverage information with the other driver, noting any differences between the name on the license and the name on the insurance or registration. This is vitally important.

Document damage to the vehicles as soon as possible, preferably by taking photos. It is also helpful to take photos of the scene, noting the relationship between vehicles, the road, vehicle debris, etc.

Move cars to the side of the road if you can, as this will be safer for you and other drivers.

Refrain from leaving the scene before the police. Contact your insurance company immediately. Some insurance companies require you to file a claim within 24 hours of an incident. (more…)

It’s titles to articles that really get people annoyed. It would probably be OK to say Mercedes-Benz make better cars than BMW. Somehow, it’s acceptable to compare the strengths and weaknesses of brands. But once we get into the area of individual skills, passions are involved. There would be hours of argument on whether Dario Franchitti is a better driver than A.J. Foyt. Most adults know how to drive and, as fans of Indy heroes, they will appreciate an everyday skill raised to the highest level. All this is safe territory. No one feels threatened by talk of the best, particularly when one is now retired. But start talking about whether you or your partner is the better driver, and egos are on the line – tempers are likely to get frayed very quickly. We are all proud of what we do. That’s a part of what gives us the confidence to keep doing it. Accusing A of not being as good a driver as B is entering a potential war zone. (more…)