\nYou're stopped at a traffic light or making a left turn through an intersection when suddenly, your whole world is shaken up – literally. You've just been in a car accident. Now what? The most important piece of initial advice may also be the hardest to follow: Don't panic. Sure, you're stressed, but the additional chaos caused by panic can make you overlook otherwise important details.<\/p>\n
First things first – get your car off the road either by pulling into a nearby parking lot or moving your car to the shoulder of the road if you're able. This will ensure you stay out of harm's way and can give you the time you need to navigate the rest of the situation. It's also a good idea to have emergency equipment in your trunk like cones, flares and reflective triangles so you can cordon off a safety zone.<\/p>\n
Once the dust settles<\/strong> While you're waiting for the police to arrive, it's the perfect opportunity to gather as much information as possible. Of course you'll want to do the normal "exchange of information" with the other party, swapping insurance details, license plate numbers, phone numbers and addresses. But you'll also want to make as many notes as you can as to the details of the accident. This will come in handy when you're talking to the police or to the insurance company. In the age of smartphones, it's also a good idea to take as many pictures as possible, both of damage to any vehicles as well as any injuries. <\/p>\n The aftermath<\/strong> Above all, be honest when speaking with the insurance company. You may think you're saving yourself money and headache by stretching the truth to omit what you think is a small detail, but insurers will investigate accident-related claims extensively, and if their investigation uncovers that you were dishonest, you'll be in even more trouble. <\/p>\n
\nNow that you've gotten your car out of the way of traffic, assess yourself, your passengers and the people in the other car or cars to find out if anyone is injured. You should always call the police when you're in an accident, but if you need emergency medical services, you'll need to know immediately. <\/p>\n![\"Nobody](\"http:\/\/pictures.brafton.com\/x_0_0_0_14117515_800.jpg\")
Nobody likes getting into an accident, but remaining calm is crucial.<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\nOnce the immediate panic of the accident is over, you'll need to take care of the loose ends. Perhaps the most important thing to do during this period is file a claim with your insurance company. You'll want to do this as quickly as possible, as it's possible the company may want to send a claims investigator to speak with you before determining fault. <\/p>\n