Driving is always something that requires caution. No matter who you are and what your skill level is, you have to pay close and careful attention to the road to ensure that you maintain the highest degree of safety possible that can be attributed to your performance.

Even with the best of efforts and the best driving lessons comes the chance of a mistake. It may not happen to you, but it can happen to the other drivers out there on the road and involve you. While you have certain options to pursue towards avoiding this sort of dreadful encounter, they’re often limited if a seriously flawed mistake is made. For example, if another driver runs a red light and slams into the side of a vehicle crossing during its green signal.

A situation like the aforementioned one is a worst-case scenario, but it’s always possible, if improbable. However, knowing how to deal with accidents is just as important as preventing them, so with that said we’re going to cover some basic concepts to keep in mind to do the best during the worst.

First of all, always be prepared. This means having more than the adaptable mentality (although that is crucial). You should at all times be carrying your automotive insurance information with you. Most people keep it in the glove compartment, which is an ideal spot. More than that, however, prepare yourself fully by keeping a form for quick write-ups to describe the situation of a wreck. Even more ideal is to have a disposable camera ready to take pictures once things unfold. This is crucial for liability and damage claims.

Of course, now that you have that out of the way, you should always make efforts to stop your vehicle and move it to a safe position, if at all possible. Getting out the way of further traffic only ensures that nothing worse becomes of the situation. If you can’t drive your vehicle, then call a tow truck company to get your vehicle moved — but be certain to get the name, number, and address of the company you’re using.

Of course, after you’ve made those efforts, if the situation looks devastating, then don’t hesitate to call for medical assistance. Everybody involved who can walk should move to a safe location, and those left behind need emergency service. More than determining liability, this is saving lives. In a best-case scenario, wrecks are hopefully just minor inconveniences, but when things turn south, time-critical decisions have to be made.

Finally, any driving school will tell you that you should also contact the police. This often happens on its own, but you should make the effort to pursue it immediately, so as to secure the situation for investigation and identification. As sad as it may seem, some people who are witnesses have a tendency to flee, not wanting involvement. Same with the occasional perpetrators of this sort of terrible driving mistake. They may not get much farther, but they can cause more damage which by all means should be minimized.