Be Prepared:

Items and information that should be
readily accessible in your car.

• Driver's license. Carry it with you – on your person, whenever you operate a vehicle.
• Vehicle registration. You are required by law to have this in the car at all times.
• Insurance documentation, including your carrier, policy number, and the phone number to call in case of an emergency.
• A flashlight
• A disposable camera or camera phone so that you can take photos of damages and the accident scene.
• A mobile/cell phone
• First Aid Kit, water, flare, flat fix-it kit, etc.
• Auto accident information form (see below) to record notes and information about the accident.
• Paper and pencil to exchange contact information with the other driver.

< Accident Checklist -- At the Accident >

At the accident:

• Try to remain calm! Take a few deep breaths.
• Stop your car – whether the accident involves a pedestrian, a moving car, a parked car or someone's property. If you drive away, you could be charged with “hit and run,” and the penalties for a “hit and run” are severe.
• If you are blocking traffic in a dangerous place, pull off to the side of the road or into a well-lighted parking lot.
• Turn off your vehicle's engine and either wait for assistance or, if it is safe, step out of your car.
• Are you or your passengers injured? Check and seek medical assistance immediately if necessary. Use your cell phone to call 911 (Emergency) and ask for an ambulance if you believe you need medical attention.
• Use the Auto Accident Information form (below) to exchange names, addresses, license numbers and insurance information with all parties involved in the accident. Gather information on any witnesses who may have seen the accident. Note the weather, road and lighting conditions, and any other pertinent details. Get as much information as you can.
• Be courteous and tactful to all parties.
• Make sure your thoughts are clear before you make any statements to the police.
• Avoid making statements about responsibility to the other driver, witnesses, police or anyone else. Don't accept fault, even if you believe the accident may have been your fault.
• Do not contact your insurance company until you have your thoughts clear and have gathered all the pertinent accident information. Once you and your vehicle are at 911 Collision Centers we will be glad to help you submit your insurance claim.
• If you are able, take pictures of the damage to your car and the area of the accident. Use a camera/cell phone or the disposable camera in your car.
• Assist the police with their official report. Confirm that you and your passengers were wearing seat belts.
• Call 911 Collision Centers in Tucson at 520-903-9119 or Las Vegas at 702-382-9119 for assistance with FREE towing, transportation, insurance claims reporting, a rental car, and repairs to your vehicle.
< Accident Checklist -- After the Accident >

After an accident:

Dealing with damage to your vehicle.

• Do not drive your car if it is unsafe. If you can safely drive your vehicle, bring it to the nearest 911 Collision Centers location as soon as possible.
• If you cannot drive your car or if you are not sure if it is safely operable, call 911 Collision. 911 Collision can assist you with towing, transporting you and your passengers to safety, handling the insurance claim, renting a car (if necessary), and repairing damages to your car.
• You are not required by law to obtain three estimates on the damages.
• You have the right to go to the repair shop of your choice. Your insurance company or the other drivers insurance cannot require you to go to a particular repair shop.
• Differences in repair estimates are common. It is your vehicle, you deserve the highest quality repairs. Read the fine print and consider carefully before you accept the lowest repair estimate. Once your vehicle is repaired you are the only one who will live with the repairs.

< Accident Checklist -- Download the Checklist >

Auto Accident Information Checklist

Keep this in your glove box.

Accident situations are stressful and confusing. If you are involved in an accident, you may be upset and possibly injured. Others in your car or in the other car may also be injured, angry or confused. You will be called upon to react quickly to an unfamiliar situation at a time when you may not be able to do your best thinking.

Download and print this auto accient checklist in case you are involved in an accient. This checklist requires the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. If you don't already have it, download it here.

Auto Accident Information Checklist