Prepare for the unexpected

Whether it’s a small fender-bender or a major accident, knowing in advance what to do after an accident can make the experience a little less frightening, and help you avoid making mistakes.

Be prepared for any emergency on the road

Always keep an emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle. You can easily create a kit for your vehicle by filling a container with the following:
 

• Basic first aid kit
• Disposable camera
• Emergency road flares, warning triangles or cones
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Booster cables
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Small tool kit
• Towel or thermal blanket
• Non-perishable food
• Bottled water

Immediately after a collision

• Take a deep breath and try to relax, even though that might seem difficult.
• Check to make sure you and your passengers aren’t injured. 
• If there has been an injury, call 911 for help. 
• Never leave the scene of an accident until all matters have been taken care of. 
• Move your vehicle out of the way of danger, if it’s safe to do so.
• Turn on your hazard lights, if possible.
• If you’re on the side of a highway, always exit your vehicle on the opposite side of traffic.

OnStar ^®to the rescue

Trust an OnStar Advisor to help guide you through the minutes after an accident. In the event that your air bags deploy, your vehicle automatically sends a signal to OnStar and an Advisor will attempt to contact you to see if you need assistance. OnStar can also contact a nearby emergency service provider with your location and request help. If you need roadside assistance, phone GM Roadside Assistance. You’ll find the number in your Owner’s Manual. Click here to learn more about OnStar services.

Giving out your information

You should give only the necessary and requested information to police and other parties involved in the accident. Do not spontaneously discuss your personal condition, mental frame of mind, or anything unrelated to the accident. If it’s possible, call your insurance company from the scene of the accident. They’ll walk you through the information they need.

Sound advice

If your vehicle cannot be driven, find out where the towing service will be taking it. Get a card from the tow truck operator or write down the driver’s name, the service’s name and phone number.

Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it’s towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance information and registration if you keep these items in your vehicle.

And always remember, in the unlikely event of an accident - and as difficult as it may seem - it’s important that you always try to remain calm.

Visit your province’s Ministry of Transportation for more information on what to do after you’ve been in an accident.

A handy application for the iPhone®

iWrecked is an iPhone® application that keeps you prepared and organized by providing an interface to record all the information you need. Features include:

• Predefined fields relevant to the accident
• A visual list of accidents by location and date
• Easy to edit accident information
• The ability to take photos of the accident
• A separate view to keep your own automobile and driver information
• The ability to send the details via e-mail

Click here to check it out.