Don’t panic if you’re in an auto accident, and don’t worry about how the accident will affect your insurance rates. If you are not at fault, the accident will not affect your rates at all.

Print out and keep the following guide handy in your glove compartment for emergencies.

• Call an ambulance for anyone seriously hurt.
• Call the police, even if it doesn’t seem like anyone was injured. Let the police take all of the information from all drivers. Write down the name and badge number of the responding officers.
• Report any and all aches and pains to the police officer and to the people at the emergency room. Sometimes, an ache or a pain that seems minor at the scene of the accident turns out to be not so minor later on.
• As soon as you can, take pictures of any visible damage to your vehicle and any visible injuries.

IF POLICE DON'T COME TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT

• If the police don’t come to the scene of the accident or you don’t wait, write down the name, address, phone and driver’s license numbers, and insurance company of the other driver and the name of the car’s owner (if the other driver does not own the car). Be sure that the other driver shows you the actual documents (drivers license, owners card, etc.). Don’t take their word for it no matter how honest they may seem.
• Obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses, including passengers in the other car.
• Write down the other car’s make, model, year and license number.
• Draw a diagram of the accident. Show the positions of both cars before, during and after the accident. If possible, measure skid marks, and show them on the diagram. Be sure your diagram shows traffic signals, stop signs, and crosswalks.
• Make notes on weather conditions, road conditions, the location of the accident, and the time that it occurred.
• As soon as you can, take pictures of any visible damage to your vehicle.
• Call in a report to the police within 24 hours since your policy will likely require that you do this
• It may be beneficial to contact an attorney, to advise you of your rights and provide assistance in dealing with the insurance companies.
• You should avoid any contact with the responsible party’s insurance company until you have had the opportunity to become fully aware of your rights.
• CONTACT PACHTMAN LAW OFFICES NOW AT 886-86-TOUGH (TOLL FREE 886-868-6844) TO SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY ABOUT YOUR CASE FOR FREE. We’ll explain your rights. There’s no fee unless we recover money for you.