The first step to take—assuming you are not severely injured and unable to move—is to talk with the other drivers involved in the accident and collect names, contact information, driver’s license information, and insurance information. Even if the driver of the car is not the owner, it is still important to record the same information as well.

If you are able to take down notes, then include license plate numbers, specifics about the car(s) involved (i.e. year, model, make, etc.), and take pictures if possible. If there are witnesses willing to provide you information, then take down their contact information and statements of what they saw.

Also, get the contact information of any police officer that responds to the crash and takes down a report. Get the incident or report number as well.[:]