Car accidents usually happen when least expected. You could be driving down a street you've driven down hundreds of times before when all the sudden you are thrown forward as your car crushes into another one. The air bags deflate and hearts are fluttering at full speed. At this point everyone involved in the crash is likely very upset and possibly in shock. It is difficult at this time to act in a rational manner. But the most important thing you need after a car crash is a sense of calm.

It is essential that before you try to do anything you lean back and taken a number of long deep breaths to collect your emotions. An upset and irrational driver will only make a difficult situation worse. Once you have calmed down, you can go about the following steps:

• Check on the physical condition of yourself and everyone in your car. If anyone is hurt, immediately call 911.

• If no one in your vehicle is injured, leave your car and go to check on the other car involved. Stay calm when you speak with the driver of the other vehicle. He or she will likely still be very upset and often times ready for a fight. The more you stay grounded, the faster and smoother your interactions will be. If the driver yells, threatens or call you names, ignore it. This may seem very difficult to do as you are likely equally shook up, but you must keep your wits about you.

• Call the police. The police will come to the scene of the accident and write down any relevant information.

• Collect any information you can from the scene of the accident. It is important to try to ascertain what happened before the wreck. Take photos of both cars before they are moved with a camera or cell phone. Also check for any witnesses who may have seen what happened and ask them to stay until the police come so they can add to the police report. This information is essential to making a case to the insurance company. If the wreck was not your fault, you must prove it. If it was your fault, you want to make sure that you are not charged more than is necessary.

• Exchange any pertinent information with the driver of the other vehicle and contact your insurance company.

For more information on protocol after a car accident, contact Madison area attorneys.