Preparing for the Worst: Creating a Car Accident Kit for Your Car

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, June 13, 2011 (Press-News.org) No one wants to expect that they will be in a car accident, but for most people it will happen at least once in their lifetime. With an average of over 50 million injuries from motor vehicle collisions worldwide each year, the odds of being in an accident are high. While practicing safe driving techniques might minimize your chance of being in a car accident, it is still a good idea to be prepared in case it does happen to you.

To create a car accident kit, you will need the following items:

A flashlight. If the accident happens at night, you want to be able to examine yourself and passengers for injuries, as well as your car to determine if it is leaking any fluids or if it is wise to stay close to the damaged vehicle.
A camera. Even if your cell phone has a camera, you may still want to place a disposable camera in your kit in case your phone is damaged in the accident. You'll want to take a lot of pictures of the accident scene.
A checklist of steps to take after you've been in an accident.
A pen and paper. First, you will want to write down all of the other party's information, including name, driver's license number, address, phone number, insurance company and policy number.
Second, you will want to note the date, time and location of the accident. Include nearby cross streets, how many lanes the road has, which lane you were in, and any applicable weather conditions.

This outline of information to gather is a helpful tool to print and include in your kit.

Emergency phone numbers. In addition to having a list of emergency numbers in your cell phone, keep a hard copy in your kit. You never know if your cell phone might not be working after an accident, whether from damage or lack of reception. Include numbers of loved ones that might need to be notified, your insurance claims department, your personal physician and other applicable health insurance information.

Place all of these items into gallon-size plastic bag or a small canvas bag that you can slip in your glove compartment, under your car seat or into the trunk of your car.

Accidents Happen

In the event of an accident, try to remain calm. Do not admit responsibility or blame anyone at the scene. Keep a level-head, use your car accident kit to collect all of the necessary information and follow up with your insurance company to file a claim. In the event of an injury, seek medical help and contact an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights.

Article provided by The Breslo Law Firm
Scottsdale Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys
http://www.justaccidentlaw.com/Motor-Vehicle-Accidents/