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Car Accidents info
If you get involved in a car accident, best thing to do is to call 911 as soon as you can get to a telephone.
Explain the situation and give the exact location of the accident, so that help can arrive quickly. Be sure to mention whether you need an ambulance or a fire engine. Remain on the phone until the operator tells you it is okay to hang up. Or, flag down a passing car and ask the driver to go for help.
The driver may have a cell phone in the car and can make an emergency call on the spot.
If you're high school students or other driver, try not to panic.
What if someone is injured?
The law requires you to give reasonable assistance to injured persons. For instance, you may need to call an ambulance, have the injured person taken to a doctor or hospital, or give first aid, if you know how.
If you are not trained in first aid, do not move someone who is badly hurt; you might make the injury worse. However, you should move someone who is in danger of being hurt worse or killed (e.g., in a car fire) even if you do make the injury worse.
To help prevent additional collisions, try to warn other motorists that an accident has occurred. Turning on your car's hazard lights and lifting the engine hood are usually good ways to warn others on the road. Get help for any injured persons.
Physical checkup.
A checkup may be a good idea for you and your passengers if any of you have concerns about your health. You could be injured and not know it right away. You can call your doctor or another health care provider for advice. Your auto insurance may pay some or all of these health care bills. You should consult your policy or ask your agent for details on what is covered.
Information to gather at the accident scene.
Since many records now are confidential under the law, you may not be able to obtain the information that you want from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). So be sure to get as much correct and complete information as you can at the scene of the accident.
You and the other driver should show each other your driver's licenses and vehicle registrations. Make notes of:
The other driver's name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver's license number and expiration date, and insurance company.
The other car's make, year, model, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number.
The names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance companies of the other car's legal and registered owners, if the driver does not own the car.
The names, addresses, dates of birth, driver's license numbers and telephone numbers of any passengers in the other car.
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. Ask them to stay to talk to the CHP or police. If they insist on leaving, ask them to tell you what they saw and write everything down.
Try to identify people at the accident scene, even if they will not give their names. E.g., if someone who saw the accident drives off, take down his or her license plate number. Law enforcement officials can trace the owner's name and address.
The name and badge number of the law officer who comes to the accident scene. Ask the officer where and when you can get a copy of any accident report.
A simple diagram of the accident. Draw the positions of both cars before, during and after the accident. If there are skid marks on the road, pace them off. Draw them on the diagram, noting the distance they cover. Mark the positions of any crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights or streetlights. If you have a camera with you, take pictures of the scene, and of the other drivers and occupants. Estimate your speed and that of the other vehicle. Be sure to record the exact time, date and place the accident happened.
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Car Accidents info page.
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