Be Safe: While you and your cars are in the road, you are in danger of being hit by other drivers. Turn on your car's hazard lights, and attempt to move the cars to the side of the road. If they cannot be moved, get to a place of safety, like the side of the road. When you're in a safe place, either you or one of your passengers needs to call the police. Dial 911 if it's a large accident, or 242-COPS (2677) if it's not. Police reports are highly important when determining fault, and having police on the scene can help moderate tempers.
Get the Following Information:
- Name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Driver's license number
- Insurance company
- Policy number (You don't need an SSN to file a police report)
Document Everything: When everyone is safe, exchange information with the other driver. When you call your insurance company to file a claim, have the time, location, description of the other car and its driver and passengers on hand. Take pictures of the damage done, and if you can, try to sketch out and write down how the accident happened. Look for witnesses and people who saw what happened, and get their information as well.
Pull out your phone right now and program in the non-emergency phone number for the APD (505-242-2677) and both the phone and policy number for your insurance.
Source: Ron Bell is a practicing attorney in New Mexico for more than 30 years. He primarily limits his practice to personal injury law. In August of 2008 Bell merged his firm with the Hughes Coleman firm from Nashville, TN. The new firm offers all types of injury litigation and representation.
