The five big steps you should take after a car accident

There are millions of car accidents in the United States each year, and many of them turn into he-said, she-said battles that can result in an innocent driver being blamed. Fortunately, if you're one of the unlucky drivers on the road, you can play an important role in making sure the police and the insurance company get the most accurate picture of what actually happened.

You already know about contacting the police, filing an accident report, and notifying your insurance company. But here are five steps that can literally save your financial hide should you be involved in an accident that results in a dispute, perhaps even landing you in a courtroom.

Take Pictures

You don't have to get out of the car when you do this. Just snap a few photos with your cell phone from your driver's seat that clearly shows the area of impact from your vantage point.

This way, if the cars are moved for any reason,  or, if the police report does not reflect what took place, you will now have the physical evidence you need to protect your interests.

Practice Before You Preach

It may take the police upwards of an hour to finally get to you. No injuries, and low volume traffic, usually make most real-world accidents a low priority for the police.

Don't worry. They will come. In the meantime though, go ahead and practice telling your side of the story and record yourself. Practice. It's always best to be calm, factual, and use any evidence available to add support to your statement.