Accident checklist â€" what to do following a motor vehicle collision

There are more than 12 1000000 motor vehicle accidents yearly that include more than 20 1000000 cars or trucks. A motor vehicle death occurs on norm every 12 min and an hurt every 11 sec accord to the subject Highway Traffic Safety disposal (NHTSA). If you are in a hit and are still alive and without injury think of how lucky you are. Even if you are shaky after the accident you will need to try and follow the steps of this checklist.

1.Stop the vehicle. If it is not safe to stop instantly, stop as soon as possible and try to do so out of the flow of traffic. Do not leave the scene wholly or you might be cited by the police force.2.Move the vehicle to the side or out of traveled roadway. Move the car if it is safe and legal to do so. In some states or legal power it is illegal to move a vehicle that was in a hit from its fillet point. This is so the police force can investigate the incident better.3.Get resident out of harms way. Once the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off, move yourself and any rider out of the car and away from the roadway or traffic.4.Attend to any injuries. Check yourself and others for injuries. If you have a checkup kit, use it but only for minor issues.If person is earnestly injured do not move them, unless absolutely necessary, while you wait for emergency medial personnel to arrive.5.Call police and emergency medical attention. 911 is usually the logical choice to call. If the accident is not that serious 911 might give you the number of a local law enforcement agency to call.6.Obtain witness statements. Ask anyone that witnessed the accident to write out a statement, sign it and include their name and contact information. This is especially important if the witness is unable to stay until the police arrive.7.Exchange information with the other driver. You and the other driver should exchange your name, telephone number, address, insurance company name, policy number and driver’s license numbers. Other information you might want to write down yourself are the car’s make, model, year and license plate number.8.Take pictures and/or make a diagram of the accident scene. If you have a camera take pictures of the vehicles, whole accident scene, any stoplights, stop signs or intersections that played a part in the collision. You can also use a sheet of paper and draw a diagram of the area, including which way the vehicles were traveling and where occupants were seated in the vehicles. Note the date, time and weather conditions.9.Cooperate with the law enforcement officer that responds. Answer any questions asked of you and give the information, such as insurance and driver’s license, as well as personal information the officer request. After the police have talked to everyone involved and any witness write down the officer’s name, badge number and his or her station’s address and phone number. Ask about how you can get a copy of the police report.10.Leave the accident scene and contact insurance company. Once the law enforcement officer says you can leave the scene, see if your car needs to be towed away or if you can drive it away. Once away from the scene call your insurance company and the other party’s insurance company if they are at-fault since you will likely be filing a claim with them.

This checklist has been put together from personal experience and after researching the National Safety Council (NSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) websites. Both of these sites are full of safety tips for motorists as well as very enlightening statistics. Drive safely and defensively while carrying this checklist in your vehicle incase you become involved in an accident.

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