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In car accident incidents, the Boy Scouts have the right idea: Always be prepared. Car accidents by their very nature bring stress with them. If you’ve rehearsed the actions you should take then it becomes a drill. Car accident lawyer Sherman Oaks suggests you create a checklist and have it available to make sure that, in the heat of the moment, you don’t forget anything.

There are always judgement calls to be made like: Should you call the police? Should you move the car? Is it safe to drive your car home? This advice from car accident lawyer Sherman Oaks will help you make those decisions after a collision.

• First, don’t beat yourself up. No matter how good a driver you are, car accidents happen. As a matter of fact, they happen much more often than you might expect. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, Road crashes are the single greatest annual cause of death of healthy U.S. citizens traveling abroad. At home, over five million cars are involved in car accidents in USA.

To make the entire unpleasant incident as painless as possible, have your license, vehicle registration and insurance information always within easy reach.

First, make sure no one is hurt. When in doubt always call 9-1-1. Sometimes injuries aren’t at first apparent. Shock may delay symptoms.

You and any passengers should then go to the nearest sidewalk or road shoulder immediately following the accident.

You can move the car to the shoulder if the damage is minor and the accident appears straightforward. However, if there are any injuries involved or there are questions about the safety of driving the car, leave it exactly where it. Yes it will be blocking traffic but the safety of those injured or keeping the accident scene intact for law enforcement investigation are both important. Call police. As you wait for the police, use four-way flashers and flares to warn other drivers of stopped vehicles.Stay as far away from moving traffic as you can.

Next call police and your insurance company’s emergency number. It is absolutely vital that you get this accident on an official police incident report. Then call your insurance agent while you are at the scene. The insurancecompany will tell you exactly what they will need so that they can process your claim. Your agent will recommend a towing service (if you do not have AAA or other emergency towing service) and tell you where to have the car towed if needed.

DO NOT discuss details of the accident with the other driver or anyone else! Speak with your lawyer and the police giving the explicit details of the collision. Do not sign any statements. DO NOT promise to pay for any damages before first consulting your lawyer.

Exchange information with the other driver: contact and insurance information including:

• Driver’s full name and contact information
• Other  driver’s insurance company
• License plate number of the other car
• Type, color and model of other vehicle
• Specific location of accident
• Full names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

For more information oncar accident claims, contact car accident lawyer Sherman Oaks.