There are more than 18,000 auto accidents a day in this country. And, even the best of drivers can have bad luck behind the wheel. That’s why it is important to avoid a potentially dangerous situation, prepare for an emergency and help ensure that any insurance claims are handled as quickly as possible.

STOP
If you are in an auto accident, do not leave the scene until you have spoken with the other driver or the police.

Protect yourself
Be alert to traffic scams that seem like “accidents,” for example, driving on a lightly traveled road, particularly at night, and being tapped by another vehicle from behind. Predatory criminals do this to get the driver to exit the car and then either rob the driver or steal the car. If you are suspicious of the circumstances, stay in your vehicle and drive to a police station or heavily populated area for assistance.

Stay calm
Avoid any tendencies toward “road rage” and stay calm if you encounter another driver who is behaving irrationally. When these situations escalate, they can often lead to dangerous driving and crashes. There is no slight, vulgar gesture or other foolish behavior that is worth endangering your life, your car and the lives of others.

Take steps to prevent further accidents
If practical, move the car and all passengers safely to the side of the road --- preferably to the right shoulder. If functioning, turn your emergency flashing lights on and, if available, set out a flare on the road for nighttime accidents.

Call the police
Call the police from the scene or ask someone to call for you. It is usually best to have the police address any traffic infractions, assist with injuries and make a record of what happened.

Request medical assistance
Always err on the side of caution in this regard. If you or others are bleeding, feel light-headed or are suffering any physical injury, call for assistance. Unless trained in emergency medical assistance, do not attempt to move injured persons or perform medical procedures yourself.

Do not admit fault
Don’t discuss the accident with anyone except the police or your auto insurance company. Call your insurance company as soon as possible.

Get information
Write down pertinent information such as the other driver’s name, address, telephone number, license plate, driver’s license number and the time of the accident. Note the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses, the badge number of any police officers, any other pertinent information about the scene, such as exact location, the issuance of any violations by the police, and any recollections about your vehicle’s handling or mechanical functioning just prior to the accident. Ask the police where to obtain a copy of a police report.

Carry an emergency kit
It should minimally include: a road flare or traffic triangle, brightly colored cloth to tie to your radio antenna and driver side door handle, a flash light with fully charged batteries, a first aid kit, a basic tool kit with duct tape and a pen and paper. Always have a copy of your Insurance Company ID Card in your glove compartment and your driver’s license and car registration.

Safely assist others
If you come upon an auto accident that you are not a party to and wish to offer assistance, pull your car off the road ahead of the accident scene. Do not park in back of the accident, which will only make your vehicle vulnerable to oncoming traffic and block the view of emergency or police vehicles looking for the scene. When arriving at the scene of an accident, first determine if there are any injuries. If so, immediately call for medical assistance. Unless trained in emergency medical assistance, do not attempt to move injured persons or perform medical procedures yourself.