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Summer
travels are in full swing and there are
more cars out on the road these days;
some not to keen on “driving defensively” I
might add, but that is a story for another
day.
Today I would just like to remind you to do your part in travel
preparedness by making a list of some extra things to pack before
you head on out to your vacation destination to better prepare
you for any accidents.
Printable
Article (PDF) |
Car accidents are in and of itself very stressful and frustrating
to say the least. Although we can never be fully prepared for any
accident we can always be as proactive as we can. After an accident,
adrenaline and emotions may run high making it that much more difficult
to focus on the necessary steps you need to take to document the
appropriate information to ease the claims process.
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- Small
Bag: You will need
a small bag that is durable
and can stay inside your vehicle
at all times. Fill it with
the items listed below.
- Checklist: The
checklist is one of the most
important things you will keep
in your kit. Write your checklist
of the most important things
you need to check or ask immediately
after an accident. 1)
Check for injuries, call 911
if necessary; 2) Look
at vehicle damage and determine
whether it is a safe area to
stay;
3) Take pictures of the
accident scene before moving
either vehicle; 4) Ask for driver’s
license, insurance and vehicle
information. This checklist will
provide a guideline to keeping
your cool during a very stressful
and sometimes scary time.
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- Pens/Pencils/Paper:
Keep a pad of paper, two pens
that are capped, and pencils
in your bag at all times. Have
a list of your necessary information
already filled out, along with
the same list of information
with blanks next to them to be
completed with other vehicle
information. Write down the following
for the other party: Name, Driver’s
License Number, Address, Phone
Number, Date of Birth, Their
Insurance Name, Their Insurance
Policy Number, Their Insurance
Phone Number, License Plate Number,
Make Model and Year of Vehicle,
Color of Vehicle and VIN Number
of vehicle. Preparing this in
advance will save time and will
keep you from forgetting all
the information you will need.
- Flashlight: You
will want to keep a flashlight
in your bag just in case the
accident happens at night. You
will want to check to see if
anything is leaking from your
vehicle to determine whether
or not it is a hazard to stay
close, also you want to be able
to examine yourself, passengers
or others involved for injuries.
- Camera
-digital or disposable: It
is always a good idea to have
a camera with you at all times.
You may choose to keep a disposable
one in your car at all times,
or, with digital cameras being
so slim these days, they are
so easy to carry. You will
want to take pictures of the
accident scene such as the
area of the accident, the angle
or impact, the damage done,
as well as those involved or
any witnesses.
- First
Aid Kit: You should
already have a first aid kit
in your car kit, but you might
want to keep another, maybe
smaller version in this kit
as well; maybe extra gauze
and cleaning items.
- Emergency
Number List: I like
to have these on a business
card size piece of paper
in my wallet tucked behind my driver’s license and emergency card. I find
this much easier to retrieve than looking up your list of numbers on your cell
phone’s “phonebook”. You may want to keep this list in three
places: your cell phone, your glove compartment and in your emergency kit. Numbers
to include in your list: loved ones to be
contacted, personal physician information, medical conditions or allergies, health
insurance information, auto insurance and car club information. If you choose
to put these numbers in your glove compartment and car kit, you may want to put
them into a plastic baggie type of bag.
-
Cones,
Warning Triangles, Flares: Keep
the area around the accident
a little safer by displaying
these items.
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Use
these tips for your
every day travels
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After
you have everything you need
in your vehicle, make sure you
tell your family about these items
and where you have placed them.
You want to make sure that everyone
in your vehicle has the same opportunity
to respond as you do.
Do
your part in vehicle accident preparedness
and use these tips for your every
day travels as well. |
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