What info should be exchanged after a car accident?
Are there any cops out there that can answer this one? I know the obvious is name and phone number, but what else? How much do you reveal with out revealing too much?

Oh and here's a tip I picked up that is related:
Keep one of those one-time-use cameras in your car at all times. If you are ever in an accident you will always have a camera to take pictures immediately after the event.

Oh a related note: I had a one-time-use camera in my car for this very purpose, but I couldn't resist the chance to take a picture of a movie theater billboard that read...
BOOTY CALL
NOW HIRING

I've been considering sending the picture in to Jay Leno to get a laugh on tv.

Wayneburg:
Here is some of the basic info for any accident. This assumes you’re a driver involved. I am trying to write this for the lay person’s perspective from a law enforcement officer’s observations.

First and foremost, STOP! DO NOT under any circumstances leave the scene of the accident. If you have no cellular phone allow someone else to call for the police etc. I have actually known people to leave an accident and walk to a house, or something similar and then not return. Their injuries were significant or they are that upset. Either way the last thing you want is to have a charge of leaving the scene of an accident hanging over your head. If you are not injured, but the car is unmovable either stay in the car for safety, or if you must step out of the car get out of the street or off of the road.

Never move your car unless told to do so.

Take a deep breath and then use a cellular phone to call 9-1-1. Keep your comments brief. Work with the dispatcher. Give specific info about the location. If you are traveling through the area and do not know the highway number or street name then describe everything around you if you must. A simple “I have know idea where I am” could suggest head injuries or vague familiarity. People have died as a result of not knowing where they are. Rare is the case of someone actually surviving in adverse conditions and SAR finding them alive. Better yet invest in a GPS if you must. Give them your phone number and name. Hang up after the dispatcher tells you to do so. If you have no phone send someone else to call.

Determine if your passengers are injured in anyway. This is your responsibility. Check the occupants of the other vehicle. Initially everyone can deny injuries. Without specific training it is best to let the Ambulance crew or the Fire Department to check all occupants. This is why they respond and what they have the training for. The personnel who respond are trained to recognize and treat any injury and accept a refusal. This liability is something you may not have the training for.

When appropriate, talk briefly to the other driver. Never admit any fault. Avoid comments like “I am so sorry!” Or, “ Hey idiot, why weren’t you looking!” These comments can be used against you later.

Only give your name, your address and the name and address of your insurance company. Include the name of your agent (who wrote the policy) and his phone number. Most states also require you to include your policy number. I avoid my phone number to the other involved party, last thing you want is for them to call and harass you. Only disclose this number if required for the police report.

Only discuss the accident with the police officer and later your insurance agent. When talking to the police again avoid comments, which seek to assign fault. Let him do his job. It is what he is trained for.

If you are traveling alone let someone know where you are going and when to expect you back. I know this may seem very trivial, but you may not be able to tell anyone anything if you are badly injured. If alone and in an accident stay in your car and lock the doors. We have all heard of accidents happening, which result in a kidnapping and/or some other crime. BTW is your drivers license current? Do you have any allergy or medication cards you need if taken to the hospital? Is there a place in your wallet or purse for “In case of an emergency notify?”

Make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date. Find out now what it will or will not cover. Will it pay for towing and storage? Will you be covered for a rental car? I know from experience should you have traveled out-of-town and was involved in an accident with no driveable vehicle you will need some way to get home.

Your insurance company, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and your state police may have a generalized guide for info on what to do when in an accident. I have even seen these forms in Reader’s Digest in their Shell answer book program. Find out if they do and obtain one.

If you have teenage drivers, sit them down now and discuss this information with them. Be open and honest. Respect their ability to drive and the freedom it brings, but stress the importance of their being safe and sound. If they did well in driver's training class that's great, but did the other driver do as well? When did they last take that training? Don’t sweat over the accident and the damage to the car. It is replaceable, they are not. So please don’t ignore them! The same goes for your significant other. I recall one time I actually arrested a parent for being so irrate with his daughters crash he actually started beating her at the accident. Turned out not to be her fault, but dear ol' dad saw it otherwise.

Last, but by no means the least, is your car kit up-to-date? Does everyone know where it is and how to use those items? Now is when they need to know. Not at the accident

I know your comment about the camera is a good idea, but film will degrade over time especially in warmer weather. If you have a camcorder or even a digital camera all the better.

If you are in an accident at a shopping center or mall, you may find most police departments will not write a private property accident report. They may however respond and mediate the exchange of information. If the mall (for example) has security make sure they are notified. For liability purposes they may need to make their own report.

Take care
Stargazer


ASAP=Always Suspicious Always Prepared.

You give a lot of good info, but I must take exception to one of your comments..."Never move your car unless told to do so." If your vehicle is blocking a traffic lane, and is movable, 'specially on a freeway, you are much better off moving it to a location well clear of any traffic lanes. Leaving it blocking a lane will just about guarantee more collisions, possibly doing more damage to your vehicle, and injuries to all. Take pics if you can, and if you happen to have a can of spray paint in your vehicle (the bright orange spray straight down type, availble in most home improvment stores, is best), mark the location of at least two tires on each involved vehicle before moving them. IF you can do that without standing in the lane with your back to traffic.

When exchanging information with the other drivers, be sure to record not just the license number of their vehicles, but the VIN number too. The VIN identifies THAT particular vehicle, the license plate will only identify the vehicle that plate is supposed to be on. Many people own more than one vehicle, and it is not uncommon for them to put the wrong plate on the wrong vehicle. Rental companies often do not even know what plate is on any of their vehicles, they go only by the VIN and/or a company assigned number. Ask them anything about a license plate and they don't have a clue.

Most important of all is to remember that standing in the middle of any road, especially a freeway, is one of the most dangerous things you can do. DON'T DO IT! If the vehicle can not be moved from a lane, get all occupants out of it and move them to a location well clear of the lanes, even if it is pouring down rain...

The information provided is very good, but i'm going to take exception to one of your comments also "DO NOT under any circumstances leave the scene of the accident." While as a rule i would say the same thing, there are times to not stay at the scene. As an example, a friend of mine was driving alone at night and gets rear ended. She is not hurt, the vehicle is not badly damaged and the offending driver is extremely abusive. Once the Officer arrived on the scene and had control of the situation he asked her why she stayed. Of course, she replied that you are not supposed to leave the scene of an accident. The Officer went on to explain that she should not have stayed there, she should have driven her car to a relatively safe place and called the police from there and explained the situation. You might still be charged with leaving the scene, but that may be a small price to pay for your safety.

All very good information presented in these posts. It breaks down into the "letter of the law vs. spirit of the law" approach. Sure, parking your car in front of, and blocking, a driveway will probably earn you a ticket... but what if it's *your own* driveway? <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Just remember to use common sense... your judgement isn't likely to be questioned if you felt your safety was at risk by staying on the scene (i.e., raving lunatic waving a gun).

And if you are calling 9-1-1 from a cell phone, please be sure to give the dispatcher your cell phone number, in case they need to call you back and get more details.

Here's a good link (at least for California residents):
http://www.fostercity.org/Services/safety/police/accidentinfo.cfm