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I know that I've been gone for a while -- my mother passed away on June 6th, and I've been absolutely overwhelmed dealing with everything. I'm just about ready to return to my normal life, and that means that my blogs will be returning too. I look forward to reconnecting with my site visitors -- keep an eye out for me in late September!

Crash! Dammit! Getting into an accident is no fun, but you can make the clean-up process go more quickly and smoothly if you have a plan. Just print out this checklist and put it in your glove compartment -- you'll know the right steps to take to protect yourself and and your rights.

A Few First Steps

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  pull off of the road and out of traffic -- your safety is the first priority
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  turn on your hazard lights or put out flares on the road
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  check to see if anyone is injured -- if any injuries, call for an ambulance
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  contact the police to send an officer out
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  look for any witnesses who might have seen the accident
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  do not admit fault for the accident -- keep all conversation neutral

Document The Situation

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  draw a diagram of the location and position of the cars during the accident
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  make detailed notes exactly about what happened -- step-by-step
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  include information about the weather, speeds traveled, and road conditions
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  take pictures of the vehicle positions, any damage, and the site of the accident
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  get a copy of the accident report from the police
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  record the names and badge numbers of any police on the scene
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  call your insurance agent within 24 hours of the accident

Exchange Information

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  contact info for other driver -- name, address, phone
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  contact info for other passengers -- name, address, phon
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  contact info for witnesses -- name, address, phone
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  insurance info -- company name, address, policy number
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  be sure to get information directly from the other person's insurance card to verify
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  license plate number
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  driver's license number
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  car description -- make, model, year, and color

If Your Car Breaks Down

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  try to make it to a well-lit and populated area before stopping
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  put up the hood and set out flares or turn on your hazard lights
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  get back in your car, lock the doors, roll up the windows
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  if you have a cell phone, call for help
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  if a stranger stops, roll your window down just a small bit
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  ask the person to call a tow truck for you

Your Accident Supply Kit

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  fire extinguisher
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  flashlight with extra batteries
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  distress flag or colored cloth to hang from antenna
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  flares, emergency hazard light, or fluorescent road markers
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  first aid kit and extras of any important prescriptions
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  water and non-perishable packaged food
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  toilet tissue
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  change for phones
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  instant camera for photographing damage during an accident
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  emergency blankets and instant hand warmers -- for cold weather
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  sun shades and sunscreen -- for hot weather

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