Classic Kia’s Car Accident Checklist

Apr 13, 2024

On today’s blog, we’re sharing a shortlist of things to remember if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here’s a handy checklist you can print out and keep in your vehicle in case of emergency such as an accident or vehicle collision. Our checklist is intended to be merely informational only, but it may help you keep a clear head to gather all of the necessary information if you’re in a tough spot.

Ways to Be Prepared In Case of a Collision or Car Accident:

Keep an Emergency Car Kit in Your Trunk or Backseat with the following:

Bottled Water
Basic First Aid Kit
Flashlights
Blankets
Jumper Cables
LED Flares
Blanket/Towels
Note Pad and Pen/Pencil

Always make sure you have the following items in your glove compartment or on your person:

Updated license and registration
Copies of your insurance ID cards
Emergency contact information of friends/family

What to do if you’ve unfortunately been in an accident or collision with another vehicle:

Take a deep breath, stay calm, and assess the situation. You’ve just been involved in a stressful and frightening situation, so emotions will be running high! Do your best to stay calm and collected, and assess the scene and safety of your passengers.
Stop your vehicle, turn on your hazards, and turn off your engine. Assess the situation as best you can, and determine if it is safe to exit your vehicle. If the vehicles pose a threat to traffic or other drivers, and it is safe to do so, get your vehicles moved to the side of the road and out of oncoming traffic. Take photographs of the situation as best you are able before moving any vehicles; this may be helpful to insurance/law enforcement’s ability to assess cause/fault.
Get yourselves to safety if you are unable to move the vehicles; find a safe space in the median, the shoulder, or other safe distance from oncoming traffic or dangerously damaged vehicles.
Contact 9-1-1 or local law enforcement and let them know that you have been in an accident. The operator or local police will arrange for an ambulance and officer to arrive on-site and assess all parties.
Stay calm, avoid getting into arguments, and be sure to have a clear exchange of information with the other party/parties involved:
- Their name, age, address, phone number, work number/employer info if possible
- Car insurance company and policy number and policy expiration date
- License plate number for the driver/owner of each vehicle
Thoroughly document the situation (for use with your personal injury lawyer and insurance claims agent):
- Note the date, time, and weather at the time of the incident.
- Take photos with your cell phone or camera.
- Create a simple diagram of the incident and the vehicles involved and direction of travel.
- Document the condition of each car
- Document any injuries to all involved persons/pets and note if the person is a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or member of the other party
Request medical assessment and seek medical help. If you feel you have been seriously injured on site, request transport to a hospital or local emergency room. If you do not feel immediate transport is required, call and schedule a doctor’s appointment ASAP and let them know you’ve been in an accident.
File an accident report, and pick up a copy at the police station or via the Department of Motor Vehicles website. Report the accident to your insurance company, even if you think the other driver is at fault.