Contact Phone Numbers
These are Important Items to Keep in Your Trunk in Case of an Auto Accident
In the event of a car accident, having the numbers of emergency contacts readily available can be useful, both for you and for emergency responders that may arrive at the scene. Putting a list together of your contact phone numbers and placing it in your trunk with other car accident supplies is a must.
Why Can’t I Store Contact Phone Numbers in My Phone?
In today’s digital age, most contact phone numbers are stored in a phone, not written down on a piece of paper. Which is why you may be wondering why this isn’t the method of recording phone numbers that we recommend.
Writing down numbers by hand and keeping them in your trunk in a safe and obvious location can prove useful for a number of reasons. First, in the event that your phone battery dies or your phone is damaged in the accident, having a physical list of numbers means that you can still get in contact with emergency contacts – you’ll just need to borrow a phone in order to be able to do so.
Another reason why it’s a good idea to put numbers on paper is also so that others can access the emergency numbers if you are unavailable (i.e. your phone cannot be found, you are unconscious or severely injured, etc.). Phones today are locked, and therefore a list of contacts may not be readily available to a responder to the scene, emergency or otherwise.
Whose Phone Numbers Should Go on My List?
A list of contacts should include the contacts that are most important to you (i.e. immediate family members) and contacts who you would need to contact in the event of an accident. Examples of people who may be on your list include:
- Spouse or partner;
- Parents;
- Children;
- Best friend/trusted adult;
- Personal doctor;
- Insurance company;
- Your children’s school and doctor;
- Office of employment/boss (you may need to call to let your boss know you won’t be making it in for work that day); and
- Auto repair shop.
Of course, your list should be specific to you. Think about who you would want to be notified if you were in an accident and unable to place a call yourself, or if you were in an accident and needed assistance or a lift. It is also a good idea to memorize a few numbers and have your kids memorize emergency contact numbers too.
Other Contact Information to Include
Putting down phone numbers next to your contacts’ names is a good idea. But you may want to put other contact information as well, such as an email address or physical address. This can be helpful in the event that your contact is unavailable by phone and needs to be reached immediately (such as in the event that you have been severely injured and your spouse needs to be contacted). On your contact list, you should also indicate the relationship that you maintain with each person, i.e. Terry – Spouse; Dr. Smith – Personal Doctor; Kelly – Best Friend. This can help someone else who is not close to you, such as a police officer, make a decision about whom is best to call.