According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission there were 2.24 million car crashes with injuries in 2010. That is a very big number and if we were to add the total number of car crashes without injuries the number would be much higher. A car wreck is a scary event that, at the very least, leaves drivers and passengers shaken.

Here are some quick and easy dos and don’ts to keep your hassles and distress to a minimum during and after a crash.

Don’t leave the scene-

Never assume a collision is minor and drive away without speaking with the driver of the other vehicle.

Do-

Ask everyone in the car if they are ok. This needs to be the first thing out of your mouth. If someone is injured, you must provide assistance to him or her, including transportation to a medical facility.

Don’t forget to document-

Do-

Call 911 to report a collision. You want to document the episode and have a record of the event. Some injuries don’t manifest for hours after a crash, some drivers have outstanding arrest warrants, some unscrupulous drivers carry bogus insurance papers. These official reports can often speed up the claims process too! Be sure you have your own record of the driver’s name, address, insurance information, license number as well as make, color, model and license plate of the vehicle.

Don’t Lose Your Temper-

You cannot improve the situation by ranting at the other driver.

Do-

Take several deep breaths after a collision. This will help clear your head and re-establish some equilibrium so you can think clearly and critically through the emergency.

Don’t forget to take care of business-

Do-

Seek medical attention if you don’t feel “right,” after an accident. Be sure to report the incident with your insurance company- the sooner the better!

A wreck is an upsetting thing to go through, but keeping your head straight and being prepared for how to handle this worse case scenario can make a difference in how quickly you can get through it!

Source: How Stuff Works