Know the rules of the road and abide by them
One of the easiest ways to prepare - and potentially avoid altogether - a car accident is to know the applicable rules of the road. New driving laws are passed in California on a yearly basis. You are responsible for knowing and abiding by these laws even if you aren't aware of them. To better prepare yourself, you can log onto the DMV's web site at http://dmv.ca.gov/about/leg/leginfo.htm to view the most recent additions to the motor vehicle code. If you do not live in California, you can log onto your state's DMV web site and search for new laws. If you know the rules of the road and follow them, you are less likely to be in a car crash.
Be sure that you have adequate car insurance
According to a 2008 report generated by the Insurance Research Council, approximately 18% of California drivers are uninsured. That means that if you are carrying the state minimum of $15,000 in liability only insurance and you are hit by one of these uninsured motorists, you may be stuck paying the entire bill yourself. One way to protect yourself is to make sure that you carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (sometimes referred to as UIM) on your auto policy. This coverage protects you from being stuck with all of the bills after being hit by an uninsured motorist.
Get health insurance if you can
While another person is liable for all damages that they cause in a car crash, there is a practical limit to how much you can collect. A driver who hits you will only have so much in insurance coverage to pay for your damages. Additionally, they may have limited personal assets, many of which are protected by various laws, including the bankruptcy code. When these cases arise, having your own health insurance can ensure that you will always get the medical procedures that you need, regardless of how much you are eventually able to collect from the responsible party. However, if you don't have health insurance, all is not lost. Many personal injury law firms, such as Crouse Law Firm, can secure medical treatment for their clients with little or no money out of the clients pocket up front.
Keep a disposable camera in your car
A disposable camera in your car is essential to accurately document the damage to the cars as well as any injuries at the scene of an accident. They only cost a couple of dollars and can really go along way in helping your potential personal injury case.
Keep a cell phone in your car
If you don't have a personal cell phone, a temporary, pre-paid cell phone is a great investment to keep in your car. It ensures that you can call the police or emergency services to a car accident site to render necessary support.
