If you or your teen are ever in an auto accident, knowing a few simple steps for handling the situation will help things go more smoothly and may even improve the outcome for everyone involved.

Here are steps from the Teen Consumer Scrapbook to help you keep the scene of the wreck as safe as possible and ensure that everyone is treated fairly. Following these steps will help make filing a police report and filing for insurance compensation much easier. If you don't follow these steps, your insurance company could refuse to pay your claim and you might even face fines.

Clear the Road

If you're in a moving vehicle when a wreck occurs, immediately and safely pull over to the side of the road, turn off your car, and turn your hazard lights on. Check to see if anyone is hurt. If there is an injured person, do not move him or her until first aid can be administered. Place flares, cones or triangles alongside the road a few hundred feet before the wreck so other drivers will be aware that you are there.

Is Everybody OK?

If there's an injury, or even if you suspect one, call 911 and tell emergency workers about it. If you are on a freeway and do not have access to a cell phone or telephone, check for a roadside phone that you can use.

What You Will Needed

The information you need includes:

• the insurance companies of all drivers involved
• the name, address, phone number and driver's license number of each driver involved
• the name, address and phone number of all passengers or witnesses
• the registered owners of all cars
• the year, model, make and license plate numbers of all cars involved.

Finally, phone your insurance company and report the accident.

Be Aware Behind the Wheel

You've probably heard the term "defensive driving," but do you really know what it means? Driving defensively means not only taking responsibility for yourself and your actions but also keeping an eye on all the drivers around you. Here are some tips from the National Safety Council to help you drive defensively.

• Be alert. If you notice a car is straddling the center line, weaving, making wide turns, stopping abruptly or responding slowly to traffic signals, the driver may be impaired. Avoid an impaired driver by turning right at the nearest corner or exiting at the nearest exit.
• Be respectful of other motorists. Follow the rules of the road, don't contest the right of way and don't try to race other cars when merging.
• Don't follow too closely. Always use at least a three-second following distance.

Obey the speed limits —both maximums and minimums. Driving too fast or too slowly can increase the likelihood of collisions. To learn more about teens being safe behind the wheel, visit our Healthy Kids column.