Accidents happen. There's no way around it. But while to err is human, when cars and other motor vehicles are involved, there is a whole other level of confusion, chaos and worry that comes along as well.

Especially for newer drivers, car accidents can be an incredibly stressful. Between making sure everyone involved is ok and planning for the next steps regarding insurance and car repairs, dealing with the aftermath of an accident is overwhelming.

Here are a few tips to help you get through this experience as painlessly as possible.

Immediately following the accident
You're stopped at a traffic light or making a left turn through an intersection when suddenly, your whole world is shaken up – literally. You've just been in a car accident. Now what? The most important piece of initial advice may also be the hardest to follow: Don't panic. Sure, you're stressed, but the additional chaos caused by panic can make you overlook otherwise important details.

First things first – get your car off the road either by pulling into a nearby parking lot or moving your car to the shoulder of the road if you're able. This will ensure you stay out of harm's way and can give you the time you need to navigate the rest of the situation. It's also a good idea to have emergency equipment in your trunk like cones, flares and reflective triangles so you can cordon off a safety zone.

Once the dust settles
Now that you've gotten your car out of the way of traffic, assess yourself, your passengers and the people in the other car or cars to find out if anyone is injured. You should always call the police when you're in an accident, but if you need emergency medical services, you'll need to know immediately. 

While you're waiting for the police to arrive, it's the perfect opportunity to gather as much information as possible. Of course you'll want to do the normal "exchange of information" with the other party, swapping insurance details, license plate numbers, phone numbers and addresses. But you'll also want to make as many notes as you can as to the details of the accident. This will come in handy when you're talking to the police or to the insurance company. In the age of smartphones, it's also a good idea to take as many pictures as possible, both of damage to any vehicles as well as any injuries. 

The aftermath
Once the immediate panic of the accident is over, you'll need to take care of the loose ends. Perhaps the most important thing to do during this period is file a claim with your insurance company. You'll want to do this as quickly as possible, as it's possible the company may want to send a claims investigator to speak with you before determining fault. 

Above all, be honest when speaking with the insurance company. You may think you're saving yourself money and headache by stretching the truth to omit what you think is a small detail, but insurers will investigate accident-related claims extensively, and if their investigation uncovers that you were dishonest, you'll be in even more trouble. 

Taking care of your car
It goes without saying that you'll need to get your car repaired after an accident. This may require you to wait for the insurance company to complete its investigation before you'll be able to cover the maintenance. 

Even if the damage to your car seems minor or negligible, it's highly recommended that you take your car in for an inspection. Even low-speed collisions can impact important things like your car's alignment or any number of other internal components that you may not be able to see.

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