Chances are that you will be involved in a car accident at some point in your lifetime. It may be nothing more than a minor “fender bender” or it could be a serious accident.

There are ways to prepare yourself in case you do have an accident whether as a driver or a passenger. Below is a checklist of things you should remember if you are involved in an accident.

1. Check for injuries. If anyone needs immediate medical attention call 911 for an ambulance.
2. If you or anyone is severely injured, do not move. If you are able to safely exit the vehicle, do so immediately.
3. Call 911 and report the accident to the police.
4. While you are waiting for the police to arrive, sit down and remain quiet. While you may not feel much pain, you could be injured. Walking, bending or lifting can make your injuries worse.
5. While you are sitting, go over what happened. Get the facts clear. How fast were you going? Where were you? Did you have your turn indicator on? Make some written notes if you can. Do not talk to anyone except the police about the facts of the accident.
6. If there are witnesses, ask them for their names and phone numbers. They may be able to help establish liability (who is at fault).
7. You may have rights that you don’t know about. We can answer your important questions at 602-650-1200 or toll free at 1-877-96-LEGAL.