If you’re involved in an accident …

Here’s what NOT to do:

  POSTAGE  by Rob Stamp

Should you have the misfortune of being involved in an auto accident, let’s hope it’s a minor fender bender and nobody got hurt. We’ve all seen lists of what to do in case of an accident (move cars to safety, stay calm, attend to the injured, call for help, gather necessary details, don’t accept blame, etc.). That’s great advice, but we like to touch all bases.

Here are a few tips on what to avoid:

• DO NOT get out of the car, screaming at the top of your lungs that the moron who hit you needs to have his driver’s license revoked.
• DO NOT tell everyone who will listen how much of a hurry you are in (even if you are in a really big hurry).
• DO NOT speak with your mouth full.
• DO NOT put your vehicle in gear and clear the scene by shoving the other wrecked vehicle down an embankment.
• DO NOT exhibit what the concealed carry law means to you.
• DO NOT make small talk with the responding officer. He’s got a job to do and doesn’t need to be distracted with your wishes for a “fair” report.
• DO NOT complete the text you started that caused the whole mess to begin with.

Adherence to these guidelines and just a smidgen of common sense will surely make the whole process play out smoother. It’s a bad scene to begin with. Don’t make it any worse.

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