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            In some metropolitan areas, when severe weather strikes, police may not be able to respond to an accident scene due to an overwhelming amount of police calls.  If your accident is the type which the police dispatcher or 911 Operator inform you to "exchange information" you need to be cautious in order to protect your rights.

            First and foremost, you need to determine whether you or those in your vehicle require emergency medical treatment.  If so, when you are in an extreme weather situation such as a snow storm, you need to alert the 911 Operator of the seriousness of your medical issues.   If your condition will allow you to wait to be evaluated, you should make sure you obtain the complete identifying information (name, address, home/work/mobile telephone numbers, make, model and year of vehicle, license plate number, vehicle identification number (if possible) insurance agent's name and telephone number, and insurance company and policy number.   Much of this information can be found on the registration form and proof of insurance card.   Please don't leave the scene without this information.  

            Then, once you have left the scene, you should not wait to be evaluated.  Please try to get to your doctor, urgent-care center or hospital as soon as possible.   You don't want to wait as the insurance company adjuster or attorney may argue that you may not even have been injured in the collision.

            Then, once able, you should make a police accident report by telephoning your local police department to schedule a time to go into the office and speak with a police officer regarding the collision.  

            Finally, many states require you to complete a Department of Motor Vehicles accident report.

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