FIRST thing you should do is keep calm, stop to protect your passengers and car. Call ambulance for injured party, if required. Set flares if you carry them and do not leave the scene of accident.

DO NOT DISCUSS the accident with anyone or blame anyone, including yourself. Exchange only license, registration and motor vehicle identification card.

Give only your name, address, license number, license plate number, name of registered owner of the car and your insurance company. Show your driver's license to the other party.

Notify the police as soon as possible after checking for injuries and removing traffic obstructions.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO DO is get the name, address, operators license number, date of birth, sex, state of license and the phone number of the other driver. ALSO IF THERE ARE ANY WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT, BE SURE TO GET THEIR NAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

Write down the name, address and the insurance company of the owner of the other car involved. The driver may not be the owner of the car.

It will be helpful if you can sketch a diagram of the scene, pace off distances and note skid marks, broken glass, positions of the cars and locations of damage. If by any chance you have a camera with you, take pictures of the scene. Clarify in your own mind what happened while the events are still fresh. Make notes that will refresh your memory in the future.

Notify your insurance company after the on-scene investigation of the accident has been completed.

Remember the driver of the other car cannot force you to pay anything without legal proceedings.

If you are at fault, the other party may obtain a judgment against you for all of his expenses plus compensation for pain and suffering. This judgment can be financially disastrous for someone who is not insured adequately.

Do not rush into a settlement. You may be entitled to significantly more or you may not be obligated to pay as much. Consulting a lawyer will safeguard your own rights.