Car accidents are extremely common in the United States and across the world. If you haven't already been in one, there is a very high chance that you will be in an accident within your lifetime. The problem is that car accidents are frightening events, especially when they occur at high speeds, or on a freeway.

When people are involved in a car wreck, they may not be thinking clearly. Their heart can be racing, adrenaline can be pumping, and they can say and do things that hurt, not help, their car accident claim. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to immediately jump out of the car and say, "I'm so sorry, the accident was all my fault." Or worse, they may flee the scene of the accident and later face criminal charges.

If you're ever in an accident in the future, here is what you should do:

• Stop at the scene of the accident. You must stop at the scene of the accident, check on everyone and call the police. If you flee, you could be charged with a hit and run.
• See if anyone was hurt. If you're capable, you must check to see if anyone was hurt and if they need medical assistance. If they need help, you must call an ambulance.
• Exchange information with the other driver(s). If you're not being transported to the hospital yourself, you need to exchange information (driver's license, insurance, registration, contact inform, etc.) with the other driver.
• Do NOT admit fault, even if you think it was your fault. NEVER say that the accident was your fault. You could be wrong and admitting fault can hurt your claim.
• Call the police to the scene of the accident. It's very important to call the police and ensure that they file a police report. Police reports help insurance claims.
• Tell the truth if you're on anything. These days, many insurance carriers require that drivers take chemical tests after an accident. If you're on medication, don't lie about it. Besides, it will come up on the blood or urine test anyway.
• Call a personal injury attorney. Protect your rights and call an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you!
• Keep your medical records private. You are not required to show the other insurance company your medical records from before the accident; keep these records private! Otherwise, the insurance company will try to use them against you.

If you were recently injured in a car or truck accident, contact a qualified personal injury lawyer to learn more about filing a claim for compensation.