Any car accident can be very distressing - buying a brand new front wheel hub and then having it destroyed is never fun. However, if you are prepared it can help make a stressful situation more manageable. This guide is for cases in which there are no injuries to either party in the accident. If you are involved in an accident where there are injuries to either party, you must stop immediately and dial 911.
The first thing to do if you are involved in an accident is, if possible, to move your car to a safe nearby location out of the way of other motorists. Be careful not to go too far, and never leave the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is a highly punishable offense and a felony in cases where someone is injured.
Stay calm. Regardless of whether the accident was your fault or not, don’t panic, remain polite, and do not admit fault. Contact your local police, who will inform you whether or not a patrol officer should come and assess the situation.
Then exchange information with the other party. Collect their contact information, insurance information, the year make model and color of their vehicle, and their license plate number. Take a picture of the damage to both vehicles at the scene of the accident. Take pictures from multiple angles, and try to get as much detail as possible – from close-ups of the damage to wider shots of the scene itself. If you do not have a camera on your mobile phone, purchase a disposable camera and keep it in your car at all times in case of an accident. Also collect contact information from the tow truck driver and any witnesses (if present).
After you have exchanged all of the information necessary, you should be ready to get on your way. Make sure to keep all of the information you gathered in a safe place so you can reference it once you return home to complete the necessary paperwork, and ensure the responsible party pays for the repairs.
