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Show i I v I i tlO 03 (lb Last tear; 15.7 million drivers one-fif-th cf the nation's motorists were involved in automobile accidents. Maybe you weren't cne of them, but you have no guarantee, that you won't be in the future. If it happens, here's what to do to protect your interests: Virtually every , state requires that you move your car off the road, or at least out of the path of oncoming traffic, if the vehicle prevent ;ccjg another accident Not long ago, a Wisconsin farmer backing his car out of a driveway collided with an auto on a heavily traveled highway. The accident caused only minor ving damageJbut a fw imtes later, a to avoid the vehicles careened onto the shoulder and killed both motorists . truck-swer- as they, argued. In most states, the law requires you to give "reasonable assistance'' to the injured. If an accident victim is lying in the middle of the road, obviously youll want to move him. But if he's safe where he is, better not disturb him you may aggravate his injury. Always contact the police immediately. ' yQU giy$ the pother i The law motorist only your name and address, and iutlml TBiIriJb XThsi to give at an accident: 'show him your driver's license. It isn't wise to discuss such thingsLMjiow.fast you were going, when you first saw him, or who was responsible. Remember the legal adage that anything you say may be held against you. A "friendly" stranger may show up' at the accident scene and ask you to sign an nocent-soundistatement which, inw effect, saddles you with an unscrupulous lawyer. ng Because many motorists are excited and overwrought after an accident, they often . fall into this trap. In some cases, the other driver may offer to a small sum in exchange for your Fy you on: a statement releasing hinr of signature further liability. Usually hell tell you that he has "gone through these things before" and that, what with court delays and lawyers' feesr you won't get any more by suing. "Don't you believe it," advise the experts. In general, it's best to keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. The only writing you should do is in gathering the facts you'll need. These facts are listed below, Some of this information may-see- m trivial, but the minor points in ; an accident often decide a major settlementfor oFagainst you. , ft' RcmcmEscr . , . only your name, address, and driver's license .information. JThat ta gtt-t- i aa aedient? .. names cf witnesses, or. persons who can testify about the position of the vehicles, amount c damage, and similar facts. . . . a diagram of the accident scene, including position of cars in relation to landmarks such as trees, sisns. and comers: all nearby curves, ams, oosirucuons, ana iraiuc signs, -- i GDuDSCP ODD and the position of any loose wreckage. . . map tracing the paths of each vehicle before and after the collision and including1 ' as many measurements as possible. ..a fact sheet listing time and date of accident, names and addresses of all persons involved, weather, condition of road, whether driver seemed sleepy or intoxicated, condi tion of other car's brakes, lights, and tires. . . . a damage sheet recording what specific areas of both cars were damaged." .a |