You listened to every word your driver's education teacher said and you may even have a few years of driving under your seat belt, but accidents still happen. Don't let inexperience drive up the cost and hassle of a car accident. Here are key tips from a police officer, an insurance agent, and a body shop mechanic who have seen it all before.

1. Call for help--Whether someone is injured, your vehicles are blocking traffic or even if it appears to be a minor accident, move to safety and call 911 immediately. Once you're safely moved to the side of the road, if possible, you can exchange information there.
2. Filing the accident report--If anyone might be injured, or the combined damage to both cars is $1,500 or more (which often doesn't take more than a little fender bender), you should file a police report immediately.

1. Call in the accident--Many insurance companies provide 24-hour accident claim service numbers on the back of their insurance cards. Call as soon as you can and provide all the information you have--this is where note-taking at the accident scene comes in handy.
2. In some cases, it may be necessary for an insurance adjuster to obtain a statement in order to open a claim. But before ever giving a statement (written or recorded), it's critical to know what to say and what not to say. Avoid admitting fault, as the accident may have been affected by other circumstances unknown to you.

1. Get your wheels to the auto shop ASAP--You might not be able to see all the damage, especially with fender-benders (front- or rear-end collisions). You can do further damage if you keep driving your vehicle.
2. Know how estimates work--Estimates are the amounts the auto body shop and insurance company expect to charge you for repairs to your car. The two will compare notes and settle on an estimate together.
3. Know your repair options--If a lean holder, like a financial institution or a leasing company, owns the title to your car, you may be required by law to repair your vehicle. But if you own your car, the choice to have your car repaired is up to you. 

Sources: nhtsa.gov; iii.org; dmv.org; mccarthyins.com; bankrate.com; insurance.wa.gov; unitedpolicyholders.org; classaautobody.com