| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | and the exact location of the collision and how it |
| No one plans to have an accident. But, you can be | | | | happened. |
| prepared if one should happen. | | | | 10. Take photographs. Use your camera to |
| 1. Before you have an accident, keep an | | | | document the damage to all the vehicles. (Use a |
| emergency kit in your glove compartment. | | | | cell phone's camera if you have nothing else.) |
| Drivers should carry a cell phone,as well as a pen | | | | Keep in mind that you want your photos to show |
| and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera | | | | the overall context of the accident. Take your |
| to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, and | | | | own photographs even if the police take |
| a card with information about medical allergies or | | | | photographs or you believe that your mechanic or |
| conditions that may require special attention if | | | | insurance company will take them. |
| there are serious injuries. A set of cones, warning | | | | Photograph: (a) any broken parts, inside or outside |
| triangles or emergency flares should be kept in | | | | the vehicle such as dashboard, windshield, seat, |
| the trunk. | | | | broken glass or lenses, bumper that fell off, etc.; |
| 2. If you have an accident: Stop. Do not drive | | | | (b) vehicle license plates; (c) skid marks; (d) street |
| away from the scene! You can be charged with | | | | signs; and, (e) injuries to persons involved in the |
| "hit and run" even if the accident wasn't your fault | | | | accident. Take the photos from different angles |
| if it involves a pedestrian, a moving car, or even a | | | | and positions. Take more photographs than you |
| parked car or someone's property. | | | | think you'll need. ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE |
| 3. Move vehicles to safety. Make every effort to | | | | WATCH FOR TRAFFIC. |
| prevent further accidents. You may be liable for | | | | 11. Exchange information. Exchange the following |
| damages to approaching vehicles unless they are | | | | information after the accident: name, address, |
| properly warned. Do not move your car too far. | | | | phone number, insurance company, policy number, |
| Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out | | | | driver license number and license plate number for |
| cones, flares or warning triangles, if possible. If | | | | the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the |
| your car can't be driven, have the emergency | | | | driver's name is different from the name of the |
| responders call a tow truck. Get the name, | | | | insured, take down the name and address for |
| address and telephone number of the towing | | | | each individual. If possible, obtain the names of the |
| company and, if you can, find out where it is | | | | insurance companies and the policy numbers |
| taking your car. | | | | covering the other autos in the accident. In New |
| 4. Move people to safety. Check for injuries. | | | | York State, it's the law to carry an insurance |
| Everyone who can walk should move to safety. | | | | policy information card in every vehicle. These |
| 5. Call for help. As soon as you can get to a | | | | cards can be your source for such information. |
| telephone, call 911. Explain the situation and give | | | | 12. Get witness information. If there are |
| the exact location of the accident, so that help | | | | witnesses, try to get their names, addresses and |
| can arrive quickly. Be sure to mention whether | | | | telephone numbers; they may be able to help you |
| you need an ambulance or a fire engine. Don't | | | | if the other drivers dispute your version of what |
| hang up until the operator tells you it is okay to. | | | | happened. Request that they talk to the police |
| 6. Cooperate with the authorities. In New York | | | | before leaving. If they refuse to identify |
| State if you are involved in a vehicle accident | | | | themselves, jot down the license plate numbers |
| causing injury to person or property, you are | | | | of their automobiles. Do not discuss the accident |
| required to stop and give your name, address, | | | | with the witnesses. Do not give their names to |
| and show your driver's license and insurance | | | | anyone but the police, your attorney or your |
| identification card to the person who is injured or | | | | insurance company. |
| whose property is damaged, or to a police officer. | | | | 13. Report to your insurance company. |
| If such information isn't available at the scene of | | | | Remember to call your insurance company or |
| the accident, it must be given to the nearest | | | | insurance broker immediately after the accident. |
| police station or judicial officer as soon as possible. | | | | Don't forget to send written notice to your |
| Be sure to cooperate with the police officer | | | | insurance company as soon as possible. The |
| investigating the case. But,stick to the facts. For | | | | notice should include the time, place and |
| instance, if you were driving 30 miles an hour, say | | | | circumstances of the accident. If you fail to notify |
| so. Do not say, "I wasn't speeding." | | | | your insurance company of the accident in writing |
| 7. Tell the police the truth. Follow police instructions | | | | within a reasonable time, this could be grounds for |
| carefully. Note the officer's name and precinct | | | | the company's denying any obligation to protect |
| number, command, or barracks. Ask how you can | | | | your interests in the event a claim is made |
| get a copy of the police accident report. | | | | against you. Also, make sure your report contains |
| 8. But don't admit fault. Do not volunteer any | | | | the names of all injured persons and drivers and |
| information about who was to blame for the | | | | the names of all available witnesses. |
| accident. You may think you are in the wrong and | | | | 14. Report to Albany. The law requires that the |
| then learn that the other driver is as much or | | | | operator of a vehicle involved in an accident in |
| more to blame than you are. You should first talk | | | | New York State in which a person is killed or |
| to your insurance agent, your lawyer, or both. | | | | injured or one in which damage to the property |
| Anything you say to the police or the other driver | | | | of any person, in a written report with the |
| can be used against you later. Do not agree to | | | | Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. If |
| pay for damages or sign any paper except a | | | | the operator is unable to make such a report, |
| traffic ticket until you check with your insurance | | | | another participant must make it. Remember to |
| company or lawyer. | | | | keep copies for your records. This report form, |
| 9. Document what happened. Make a note of the | | | | known as an MV-104, may be obtained from the |
| details of the accident, including date and time, | | | | Department of Motor Vehicles or its website |
| road conditions, weather conditions and speed of | | | | (over the Internet). Often, your insurance |
| all other cars involved. It also is a good idea to | | | | company, insurance broker or attorney can send |
| draw a diagram of the accident showing the | | | | you the form. |
| position and direction of the cars justprior to and | | | | 15. Call an attorney. Consult an attorney who is |
| after the accident: make a written description of | | | | experienced in accident cases if you or a loved |
| each car, including year, make, model and color | | | | one is hurt. Ask lots of questions. |