If a Crash Occurs

If there has been an injury, call emergency services for help. Do not leave the scene of a crash until all matters have been taken care of. Move the vehicle only if its position puts you in danger, or you are instructed to move it by a police officer.

Give only the necessary information to police and other parties involved in the crash.

For emergency towing see Roadside Assistance Program .

Gather the following information:

  • Driver name, address, and telephone number.
  • Driver license number.
  • Owner name, address, and telephone number.
  • Vehicle license plate number.
  • Vehicle make, model, and model year.
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
  • Insurance company and policy number.
  • General description of the damage to the other vehicle.

Choose a reputable repair facility that uses quality replacement parts. See “Collision Parts” earlier in this section.

If the airbag has inflated, see What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? .

    See also:

    Brake Wear
    Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound ma ...

    Collision Damage Repair (U.S. and Canada)
    If the vehicle is involved in a collision and it is damaged, have the damage repaired by a qualified technician using the proper equipment and quality replacement parts. Poorly performed col ...

    Passing
    More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer. Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to the lane. ...