You've just gotten into a collision. Perhaps someone rear-ended you or you took your eyes off the road for a second and wandered into an intersection causing a pileup, or maybe you just bumped a car in the parking lot. In any of these situations, it can be scary, unnerving, and confusing.

Have a good plan of action before you get into a collision. Any good plan will ensure that you get out of the situation safely and securely, as well as making good financial and legal decisions.

Step 1

For minor accidents, you need to stop the vehicle when and where it is safe and legal to do so. You might have no choice but to stop right there in the middle of the road, but pulling over to the side or even into a parking lot is better. Don't drive out of eyeshot of the place of the collision, however.

Step 2

Turn off your vehicle and calm yourself down.

In a collision, the body releases a lot of adrenaline and the heart begins to pump rapidly. This is a sort of instinctive response to danger, but it won't be helpful to you in a collision.

To calm yourself down, try to count your breath and talk to yourself, saying, "It's going to be alright. I'm safe now and everything will be fine."

Step 3

Check to see that each person impacted by the collision is alright: your party, the people in the other cars, and any pedestrians that might have been involved. Write down everyone's name and basic information, including phone number, address, insurance, vehicle make and model, and license plate number. If someone is hurt, call an ambulance even before the police.

Step 4

Call the police. They will secure the area and assist you through the rest of the process. On the phone, you will be asked to provide some basic information about the accident and the people involved. Stay calm and answer their questions completely and well.

Step 5

While you are waiting for the police, there's a few things to do:

1. Nurse the injured

2. Mark off the scene of the collision with reflective triangles or flares if there is glass, metal, or an inoperable vehicle on the road

3. Take a picture of the collision site and the vehicles involved. You can also draw a diagram of the collision, noting the surroundings and the position of each vehicle on the road. Mark the date, time, and exact location.

Step 6

Do not discuss fault with the other drivers. Only talk to the police and/or a lawyer about the collision. Later, you will have to sort it out with car insurance agents or claims adjusters.

Step 7

When the police are done, get a copy of the police report for your legal and car insurance purposes.

Step 8

Keep friends and family close for at least a week to make sure you have help dealing with the emotional stress of a traumatic car accident.

Step 9

Since you have nothing to hide and have good, detailed records of the event, feel confident when filing a car insurance claim.