The "At The Scene Checklist":

• Stop your vehicle if is clear, safe and legal. Move the vehicle out of the traveled roadway, if it is clear, safe and legal.
• Turn off the ignitions of the vehicles involved.
• Make a first aid check of all persons involved. Look around to see if anyone is in immediate danger or needs medical assistance.
• Call the police and if necessary, emergency medical services.
• Mark the scene of the accident with flares or retro-reflective triangles.
• Remove objects from the road which may cause further damage or risks.
• Write down the owners' names, license plate numbers, colour and the make/model name for all vehicles involved.
• Get the policy numbers, insurance company names and insurance broker names for all vehicles involved.
• Get the names and driver license numbers of all the drivers involved.
• Get the names and addresses of all injured persons, witnesses and police officers.
• Draw a diagram of the accident scene showing the position and direction of all vehicles at the time of the accident. Include all street names, traffic lights and traffic signs.
• Name and Policy Number of Other Person's Insurance Company and Agent
• Investigating Police Department
• Police Department Occurrence Number
• DO NOT ADMIT LIABILITY OR DISCUSS ANY SETTLEMENT.
• Notify your insurance broker or your local insurance office as soon as possible.
• Immediately notify the police and your broker if your vehicle is stolen.
• Immediately notify your broker in case you are in a serious accident.

*To help with the collection of information and accurate sketches of the accident scene, most insurance companies have packages of forms available to help you walk through the process. It is a good idea to always keep one of these packages in the glove box of you vehicle as it will help you think clearly after the trauma of an accident. Click here to see a sample of such a document from Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance.