According to government statistics, 42,643 people died in automobile accidents during 2003. Think about the entire population of White Plains, New York, getting killed each year due to auto crashes. With hundreds of deaths a month from auto accidents, a few preventative measures could mean the difference between life and death for drivers and passengers on the road.

If you crash

State laws require the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident to stop at the scene of the accident and exchange information with any other drivers involved in the incident. Do not block traffic any more than necessary. If the accident involves an unattended vehicle or other property, attempt to locate the owner. If unsuccessful, leave a note, with your name, address and vehicle registration number. You must immediately notify police of the accident.

According to attorney David I. Fuchs of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pulling to the side of the road is essential to avoid another collision. ” you can pull over to the side of the road you need to,” advises Fuchs.

Keep a pad of paper and a pen or pencil in your glove box for emergencies. In addition to other drivers, remember to write down the names and phone numbers of any passengers in the vehicles, as well as anyone who witnessed the accident. Write down a description of the other vehicles involved in the accident, as well as specifics regarding the damage to each vehicle. It is a good idea to keep a disposable camera in your car so you can photograph the exterior and interior of the vehicles involved in the accident. Try to get all angles – front, back and sides.

Protect the scene

The cars should be left where they came to rest unless they are blocking traffic. While it is important to protect the accident scene, obstructing traffic can delay the arrival of police or emergency vehicles or even cause another accident. For this reason, it is essential that you carefully note the positions of any vehicles involved in the accident that are obstructing traffic and then move them.

The use of flares, flashlights, or your car’s four-way flashers can help provide warning to other drivers of the accident scene, especially if the vehicles are blocking traffic.

No comment, thank you

With the exception of your exchange of required information, do not comment on the accident. Keep your notes and opinions to yourself. Do not admit you were wrong or careless. Such admissions, made in the tension and excitement of the moment, may be accurate, but they could turn out to be costly. Let police do their work to determine the details of the accident during an interview. There is time to admit responsibility after the facts are all in if they clearly show you were wrong. If the accident was a serious one, you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible before arriving at any agreements with anyone, and before making any admissions. A plea of guilty to a traffic charge may sometimes be used against you in a lawsuit to establish your civil liability for damages.

An ounce of prevention

As thousands of families take to the highways, here’s a safety few tips from the Red Cross:
In planning itineraries, leave extra time for making pit stops and for traffic.
Carry a first aid kit in your vehicle.
Carry an emergency supplies kit in your vehicle including the following items: water, blankets, flashlight, battery powered radio, matches non-perishable food, can opener, children�s toys.
Children should travel in the approved safety seats, installed correctly. Here are some guidelines:
Infants weighing up to 20 lbs. should ride in a safety seat facing the rear of the vehicle to protect the infant’s head, neck, and back. The seat should be at a 45-degree semi-reclining angle.
Never place a rear-facing safety seat in front of an airbag.
Children weighing from 20 to 40 lbs. should ride in a safety seat. Children weighing from 40 to 60 lbs. should ride in a booster seat.
A safety seat must be correctly adjusted and installed. Put the safety seat in the back seat.
Call 1-800-424-9393, the NHTSA Hotline, to for more information about safety seats.