When one is involved in an accident, it is very easy to become irrational and aggressive. These tendencies will often result in further confusion and panic. If involved in an accident, drivers should follow these steps to ensure his/her own safety as well as the safety of others on the road:

• Determine if there are any injuries and give aid to those who need it.
• Contact emergency response services and report any injuries.
• If possible, move vehicles involved in a crash to the side of the road. If it is not possible, deploy emergency cones or flares to alert other drivers of an accident.
• Exchange information with the other driver. Information should include, but is not limited to:
  1. name, address, and phone number
  2. insurance company and policy number
  3. drivers license and license plate numbers
• Photograph and document the scene of the accident. Pictures may be useful when trying to file a claims report.
• If there are witnesses to the accident, write down their contact information. Their testimony may be useful in a claims report, or if the accident goes to trial.
• Do not accept money from the other driver. Accepting money at the scene of an accident may disqualify you from filing a claim against the other driver, even if the damages were greater than originally estimated.