Consumer Decisions Key After Car Crashes

ByABC News
September 14, 2006, 4:09 PM

Sept. 15, 2006 — -- With the government's big announcement this week that it plans to make electronic stability control mandatory in all new cars, I have car accidents on my mind. ESC is life-saving technology, but there are still going to be plenty of crashes. In fact, every two seconds someone is injured in a traffic accident.

Getting in an accident can be traumatic, even if you're not injured. A drowsy driver once ran into my car as it was parallel parked by the side of the road. I was miles away when it happened, but I was still flustered when I found out about it.

Because you may be shaky, it's a good idea to keep a checklist in your car of everything you should do after an accident. That way you can just go down the list without worrying that you might be forgetting a step. I've prepared this list for you. And, for the record, I'm printing it out right now to put in my car.

1. Some jurisdictions want you to move your car out of traffic after a collision. Others require you to leave your car where it came to rest after the crash. Find out what the law is in your area and keep that in mind.

2. If you yourself are not badly hurt, your first responsibility is to take care of others who are. Try to make injured people feel comfortable without moving them.

3. Approach witnesses and ask what they saw. Take notes, including their names and contact numbers.

4. Most car crashes are just fender benders, so your main concern should be exchanging information with the other driver. Many people fail to get all the details they need. Write down the other driver's name, address, phone number and driver's license number. Write down the name and number of the driver's insurance company and the policy number. For good measure, get the license plate number of the car and the vehicle identification number, or VIN.

5. If police arrive at the accident scene, get the police officers' names and badge numbers, and press them to make a formal report. Some insurance companies won't process a claim without one.