Editor's Note: This article was written by the California Department of Insurance.

Picture this, you are driving in Monday morning rush hour traffic and the freeway is bustling. Cars are weaving between lanes and the morning sun is in your eyes. Suddenly, your airbag deploys and broken glass is flying. Adrenaline courses through your veins and in the blink of an eye your attention needs to be crystal clear on your new reality. If you are not prepared to deal with this situation you may forget many of the necessary steps you need to take to protect yourself after a collision.

Below are a few simple steps recommended by the California Low Cost Auto insurance program. Save these tips in your glove compartment with your vehicle registration and proof of insurance for future reference:

Stop. Come to a complete stop at the scene of the accident and shut off your vehicle. In the case of minor “fender benders,” pull off to the side of the road to avoid causing further accidents.

Assess. Check to see if you, your passengers or any others involved are injured. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately. If there are no injuries, call and notify the local police department of your location. If you or any of the other drivers have road flares in your vehicle, place them behind and/or around the scene of the accident, if safe to do so. Road flares and reflective triangles can be purchased at local automotive stores and are useful items to place in your car's emergency kit.

Gather Information. Take photos of all drivers involved in the collision and write down the following information: name, address, telephone number, driver's license number, license plate number, and vehicle identification number. Verify the accuracy by comparing this information with the information on the corresponding vehicle registration. Record the contact information of any passengers or witnesses.

Documentation. When relaying information to insurance agents or making official statements, it can be difficult to recall specific and accurate information. If possible, photograph the position of the cars, all passengers, any damage, and the scene of the accident. If you don't have a camera or cell phone, write down and describe these details for future reference to maintain accuracy in your claim. If the owner of any damaged vehicle is not present and cannot be located, leave a note with the names and addresses of the drivers and owners of each car involved. Don't forget to make notes about weather and traffic conditions. The more details you can document, the better chance you have of helping law enforcement officials identify a staged collision and prevent you from becoming a victim of insurance fraud.

Report. Notify your insurance agency as soon as possible. However, do not attempt to call them while you are driving. Your insurance agency will provide you with further instructions. In addition, if anyone is injured or the vehicle damaged exceeds $750.00, call the California DMV and report the accident within 10 days.

Do Not. Do not sign anything, including statements regarding fault or releasing someone from further responsibility. Avoid conflict and save your side of the story for your insurance agent and the police.

Be Prepared. You never know when you could be involved in an accident. Financial responsibility laws require drivers to carry the minimum liability insurance. Be prepared and get insured. A state-sponsored insurance program offers affordable and reliable coverage for good drivers who qualify. For information on the California Low Cost Auto insurance program, visit mylowcostauto.com and see if you qualify. You may qualify if you: are income eligible, have a good driving record, are at least 19 years of age, own a vehicle valued at less than $20,000 and have been continuously licensed to drive for the past three years. Stop worrying. Start driving.

Special Reports /

7 Steps to Protect Yourself After a Car Accident

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