Accidents, unfortunately, are a fact of the road. How you react afterward is extremely important. What you say and do cannot only save you money, but also lives.

Actions to Take

• Don't flee. Gather your wits and assess. If physically possible, move your vehicle from the road. This could help prevent another accident and allows emergency vehicles, if needed, easier access.

• Don't wander into the road. You were already involved in one accident, you don't need another. Stay to the side of the road.

• Turn the engine off if it's still running.

• Avoid all urges to smoke. Spilled fuel combined with a discarded match make for a volatile situation.

• If you collided with a telephone pole be alert to the possibility of downed electrical wires.

• Try to alert approaching traffic. Flares work best.

• If you slammed into an unoccupied vehicle try to locate the owner. If unsuccessful, leave a note containing your name, number, and date and time of accident.

• Exchange information with all involved drivers. Be sure to get name, address, phone number, license number, and insurance information.

• Try to get names and numbers of witnesses.

• If you're carrying a camera snap photos of damage to all involved vehicles.

If Injury is Involved

• Don't assume. Call the police and emergency rescue.

• Regardless of how many ER episodes you watched on NBC do not attempt to move the injured, which could break the spine. Removing a person from a burning vehicle is the lone exception.

• Wait until the police arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a crime.

When to Report

If injury occurs to anyone involved in the accident, including you, or if there's over $1,000 worth of damage you must file an accident report. Guilt or innocence has no bearing. You must file. And don't make the mistake of believing since you provided information to police officers at the scene of the crash that this substitutes as an accident report. Again, you must complete and submit the state's official accident report.

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