How To Adult: Handling A Car Accident

Accidents happen. Whether caused by you or another driver, you need to know what to do in the situation.

Get off the highway
The side of the highway is not a safe place to stop. When you get out to check the damage, you risk a reckless driver hitting you. It also causes a traffic jam and paramedics and police may not be able to get to you in a timely manner. So, if you have the option get off the highway and on to a service road or parking lot.

Make sure everybody is safe
While inconvenient, a car is replaceable. A human life is not. Check on everybody in your car and theirs and call an ambulance in the event of injury. If there is a baby in one of the cars make them the first priority.

Take pictures
Take pictures of the damage on your car and theirs. This protects you from false accusations of any damage you did not cause. Also take pictures of their license plate in case they give you any false information.

Exchange insurance
People have car insurance for this exact reason so use it. When the other person does not have car insurance your insurance will cover it if you have uninsured motorist coverage.

File police report
By law every accident requires a police report. This protects you and the other driver. It keeps both parties liable, so neither can cheat the other.

Call tow truck
The accident may have totaled the car or made it undrivable, so if your insurance comes with roadside assistance call them or another tow company. Then, call a friend or your parents to pick you up.