The likelihood of having at least one accident in our lifetime is fairly certain. Should it happen to you, knowing what to do can save time, aggravation and money. Here are several things to consider when faced with an unfortunate incident such as an automobile accident.

At the Scene

Rule #1 if you are involved in an accident is stop! Each province has its own penalties for people who flee the scene. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is okay and not in harm’s way. If there are seriously injured people, be sure not to move them unless they are in immediate danger.

No matter how minor the accident, call the police. They will call emergency personnel if needed and fill out an accident report. A police report is important for many reasons, not only if you are making a claim with the insurance company.

If possible, move your vehicle off to the side of the road so you don't inadvertently cause a second accident. Switch on emergency flashers and set out flares to warn oncoming drivers of the situation. Not providing proper warning for other drivers could make you liable for damages to their vehicle.

Though it may be difficult, don’t lose your cool. Do not become angry and argue with anyone else involved. You may be liable for any verbal or physical abuse towards other people in the accident.

Getting Information

It's important to get as much as information at the accident scene as possible. Thinking clearly in this situation is hard, but force yourself to remain calm. Make a note of the damage to all the vehicles involved, as well as weather and road conditions. Take pictures if you have a camera available. Record the date and time of the accident, speed of all cars involved and write down or record your honest recollection of the accident as soon as possible.

Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all the drivers involved in the accident. Also record the ownership, license plate number(s), year, make and model of all vehicles involved. In addition, try to obtain insurance information from the other driver or drivers.

If possible, get the names and addresses of any people who may have witnessed the accident. This could be especially helpful in a court case where issues of liability may come into question. Do not discuss the accident with any witnesses at the scene. Do not offer their names to anyone but the police, your insurance company and attorney if necessary. Also, make sure to write down the name and badge number of any police officers at the scene.

Do not admit fault at the accident scene. Never provide any oral or written statements as to responsibility or blame. Don't discuss how much liability insurance coverage you have with the other people involved in the accident. Don't accept offers to settle at the scene without carefully considering all your options. Take time to think things over.

After the Accident

As soon as possible after the accident, it is generally a good idea to book an appointment with your physician and get a checkup. Although there may be no obvious signs of injury, there could be damage to your neck, back or spinal cord, so get a professional diagnosis.

If required, you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer to determine your rights and discuss liability regarding the accident.

Dealing with Claims

Immediately report the accident to your insurance company. Your agent should provide you with all the forms required to support your claim. Make sure to include all the information collected from the scene when filing a claim.

If you fail to immediately report the accident to your insurance company, it may be grounds for them denying any obligation to protect your interests in the event a claim is made against you.

If a claim is made against you, refer all persons making the claim to your insurance company. Send all legal papers received to your insurance company. Consult your lawyer at once if your insurance coverage is not substantial enough to cover any claims being made against you.

Recovering Damages

There are situations when as the accident victim you have the right to sue for personal injury loss. Provincial laws will be relevant in each case, so check with your lawyer to see what applies to you.

In life, accidents happen. Knowing what to do can save significant aggravation when the road ahead turns bumpy. Follow the steps above and things should be a little easier. Drive safe and have a great summer!