Car accidents happen. While no one is ever "ready" for an accident, one Delaware attorney says that drivers can be "prepared" for an accident by taking some very simple but effective precautions that can help to ease the burden.

Making auto accidents less troublesome

James Folsom, a Delaware attorney with over 30 years experience whose practice focuses on personal injury claims, says, "Most lawyers will tell you that when you're in an auto accident, you've got to get pictures, diagrams, police reports, etc. However, you need to take it one step further. In other words, someone is likely to be in an auto accident sometime next year. So, what you ought to do is go ahead and prepare yourself just in case you do have an auto accident."

Folsom provided the following examples of everyday items that, when kept in your glove compartment, can come in very handy:

• Camera. In order to take pictures at the accident scene, you'll need a camera. I would suggest that you go out and purchase an inexpensive camera for five dollars at the drug store and keep it in your glove compartment. Then if you have an accident, you've got the camera in your car and can take pictures when you need to.
• Pad & pencil. You'll need to take notes at the scene of an accident, so it stands to reason that you should keep a pad and pencil in the car so you can take notes, get statements from witnesses and the other driver - as well as license numbers and things of that nature.
• Calendar. Keeping a calendar in your glove compartment allows you to keep track of when you went to the hospital, when the passenger you were with went to the hospital and everything else that happens surrounding the accident. That way, when you go to trial three or four years from now, you have an exact memo that you can refer back to and have more accurate information that will be useful in court.

Folsom also says that other useful items to keep in the glove compartment include a tape measure so that you can measure skid marks and an inexpensive tape recorder for statements. He told us that although no one is ever fully prepared for an accident, taking these small precautionary measures can ease the burden if one does occur.

If you've been injured in an auto accident, contact an experienced Delaware car accident lawyer to discuss your situation and evaluate your options. Consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential.