Make an Auto Accident Survival Kit
If you own a car you should also own an auto accident kit. An auto accident kit can mean the difference between getting you much deserved settlement and getting screwed by an insurance company. For the most part accident kits are easy to put together and you may already have some of the items around your home or office. I have put together a list of items you should have on hand in the invent of an accident.
What you will need
- 1 gal “Zip-Lock” plastic bag
- Disposable camera w/flash (in case of a night time accident)
- Flash light (I recommend the ones that you can shake because they don’t require batteries.)
- Ink pen and paper to take down some quick notes license plate, time of accident, location, parties involved, witness names, insurance company of the other party and other relevant information.
- Flares, D.O.T Tape, or other reflective materials
- Fully charged disconnected cell phone for 911 calls (In case you forget your cell phone or don’t have one) They can be picked up at any cellular provider just ask for their old phones and try to get one with GPS so its easier to find you if your lost. (Don’t forget to charge it up)
- Your insurance card and policy information.
- Bandages, gauze, and small scissors (for temporary medical treatment until the EMT vehicle arrives)
- You could additionally compile a list of questions to ask the other driver for later use in filing your claim. Just try to be polite and courteous and use common sense. (Don’t question someone who is unconscious or obviously not coherent at the moment.)
Place the more important items in the plastic zip-top bag try and include as much of the above mentioned items as you can. If all of the items do not fit then put the items that would be compromised by moisture in the bag and the rest in the glove compartment with the bag. Store it away and feel assured that you are prepared to “productively” deal with a much dreaded car accident.
January 15th, 2007 at January 15, 2007
Ask your insurance carrier for an accident reporting kit, usually an organized pad with the questions the insurance company has learned eases the processing of claims.
Also, get an LED flashlight - they are more resistant to shock damage due to a lack of bulb filament.
Good list Tim. But what’s the blank item after the insurance card? I just bought a small first-aid kit for my new car, and I’ll try to put as many of these items in the case.
January 15th, 2007 at January 15, 2007
I would also had a few other items that I like to keep in the car for emergencies because the accident might result in needing to do some minor repair work on the side of road in order to limp the car to the local service station. Also, you’d be surprised but there are a lot of places even in California near the SF Bay Area (for example the Santa Cruz mountains) where cell phones don’t work. If you have a solo accident out there, you are going to need some basics to get your car running at least well enough to get to a town.
I’d recommend:
- jumper cables
- basic tools (screwdriver, hammer, wrenches, leatherman multi-tool)
- make sure your spare tire is inflated (many accidents result in bent wheels and flat tires)
- make sure your jack and tools are there and you know how to use them
- rags/towels
- quart of oil
- water (for you or for cleaning things off)
- tow strap (basically a long piece of strong rope with metal re-inforced ends so that another car could tow your car)
- other basic medical supplies including ASPIRIN!
- duct tape (this can fix nearly anything)
You’d be surprised how far you can drive a wrecked car if you need too, or even with a flat tire. For example, I live in the SF Bay Area and it drives me insane when people crash or stop on one of the bridges with a flat tire. There is NO shoulder there and traffic is moving at 65+ mph. DO NOT STOP ON A BRIDGE! Even if your tire is completely flat, you could probably make it across the Bay Area’s longest bridge, 10 miles across the San Mateo Bridge. Yes, the car will drive funny and may be difficult, but that’s better than stopping on the bridge. Drive slowly, but do not stop.
January 15th, 2007 at January 15, 2007
what about matches
January 29th, 2007 at January 29, 2007
I would also suggest an adjustable belt for broken altenator belts, or if you have an all in one belt, an extra. I would also include in the motor vehicle safety kit:
candles
a space blanket
extra radiator hoses
maybe even some survival food bars.
March 19th, 2007 at March 19, 2007
Whats up bro? Thanks for the tip. as common sense as all this stuff sounds I wish someone advised me on what to have before my accident recently. I could have used some of this stuff.
I actually recommended the lawyer that I hired to included a auto kit sample at his office for clients…he though it was a great idea. Maybe he’ll even link to your site from his site or something. His site is: 1800NowHurt.com.
Anyway…thanks for the info I already made a kit that sits in my trunk.
March 19th, 2007 at March 19, 2007
@Rob, no problem.
March 26th, 2007 at March 26, 2007
Dear Sir,
This is Cindy Zhang from the car accident kit factory in SZ,China. Would you please kindly gime your E-mail address, I can send some details of our product for your reference. below please find more details of our products for your reference. You can also visit our website http://www.jiaruiphoto.com for more models.
*CAR ACCIDENT KIT*
Fyi, there are a ball pen, a chalk, a ruler, an instuction sheet and one flash single use camera packed in a pouch for our accident kit.This accident kit helps you to shoot what happens after a car accident. With this accident kit in the car, you have the tools to avoid being a victim.
FOB SHENZHEN PRICE OF CAR ACCIDENT KIT BASE ON 10,000 PCS:
Accident Kit with One Flash Camera with Film 200ASA12EXPOSURES inside: USD1.83/set
PACKING DETAILS: 25 sets in one inner box and 4 inner boxes in a one master carton. 100PCS/CTN MEAS.: 54 x 42 x 26.7 cm; CTN N.W.: 16.7kgs; CTN G.W.: 18.2kgs. One 20 feet container contains about 38,000 sets of accident kits.
Waiting for your kind reply!
July 23rd, 2007 at July 23, 2007
[...] Make an Auto Accident Survival Kit [...]
July 25th, 2007 at July 25, 2007
Hi
Keep it simple and buy an Accident Kit and XXL size Hi-Vis emergency waistcoat for UKSterling £4.79, approx $9.50, min. order 1 only, you can even have the Accident Kit personalised with full colour images, text, logos, etc.
Regards
Max