If you can, move your vehicle to a safe place out of the way of traffic. Many people have been injured or caused more damage because they were in the way. If you are in a minor accident, move your car to the shoulder of the freeway, an empty parking lot, or any other area that’s out of the way.

Due to all of the chaos, many people forget to put their cars in the park during an accident. Make sure your car is no longer moving when you get out. But first, remember to check that it’s safe to exit the vehicle.

Be sure to check on everyone who’s involved in the accident including drivers and passengers. If there’s any sign of injury, call 911 immediately. Sometimes people seem okay in the moment, but there may be an internal injury.

Even if the accident is minor, a police report can be very useful when it comes to making insurance claims. They know exactly how to handle minor car accidents. They will also be able to check if any of the drivers are intoxicated or driving illegally. Sometimes, people who are involved in accidents may be violent. If a police officer is present, there is less likely to be an altercation. If there are no injuries, the police are less likely to show up at the scene. Be sure to file an accident report through the DMV immediately.

Try to get as much information as possible from the other driver. This info should include:

• Driver and passenger names
• License plate numbers
• Insurance information
• Makes and models of all vehicles involved
• Contact info for any eyewitnesses
• Location of the accident
• The name and badge number of any responding police officers

Some accidents end up leading to lawsuits. To protect yourself, be sure to take pictures of all damage done to all vehicles. This will also help you when you show your insurance provider the damage you need to be covered.

If you have Legacy Car Insurance, you can contact them while on the scene of the accident and file your claim instantly. Your Legacy Car Insurance agent will contact the insurance provider of the other driver and decide on what is and isn’t covered by your policy. If you need Legacy Car Insurance, give us a call at 1-800-771-7758 or go online and request a free Legacy Car Insurance quote. You do not want to be caught up in an accident without insurance.