Accident Awareness

Watch the story in the Feb. 14 show.

Imagine your car just got smashed. You're not thinking straight. You can't believe that this happened to you.

Although law enforcement might not be there to take notes, keep your wits about you. It'll save you money and hassle in the long run.

Cincinnati Police now urge residents not to call 911 if in a non-injury traffic collision. Instead, police ask that you exchange information with the other driver, report the collision to your district location, and go about your day. This leaves many residents wondering, what if this happens to me?

Traffic attorney Jagdeep Sangha explains what to do in the moments after a non-injury accident.

“There is also stuff that a person can do who was in the accident to help themselves, and that is take photos," Sangha says. "Take photos of everything. Everyone has smartphones nowadays. Use those to your advantage.”

And that means getting as many details documented as you can.

“Take photos and videos of the incident because everything in those photos and videos is important," Sanha says. "The time of day, the road conditions, those all help.”

But then the key is to get the material to the police ASAP.

“If the police don't show up and you can't get them there, then still use that evidence you just made yourself the photos and the videos to take it to a police station, to self-report it, to at least get something down in writing," he says.