Follow these steps in order. Check each one off as you complete it.
🚨 If anyone is injured — call 911 first before anything else.
Do not move injured people unless they are in immediate danger. Emergency medical care is the only priority.
0 / 9 steps
1
Check for injuries — call 911 if needed
Check yourself, passengers, and the other driver. Even if you feel okay, adrenaline masks pain. If anyone complains of pain, call 911. Do not admit you're "fine."
2
Move to safety — turn on hazard lights
If the car is driveable and you can safely move, pull to the shoulder or a parking lot. Turn on hazard lights immediately. Set up road flares or triangles if you have them.
3
Call police — get a report number
Never skip this. Even for minor accidents, a police report is critical for insurance claims. Get the officer's name and badge number, and ask for the report number before they leave.
4
Document everything — photos first
Before anyone moves vehicles: photograph all damage to both cars, license plates, the accident scene (skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions), and any visible injuries. Take at least 20 photos.
5
Exchange information with other driver
Collect: Name, address, phone, driver's license number, license plate, insurance company, insurance policy number. If they refuse, note the license plate and tell police.
6
Get witness information
Ask any bystanders for their name and phone number. Witnesses are extremely valuable if the other driver disputes fault later. Even one witness can make or break your claim.
7
What NOT to say at the scene
Never say: "I'm sorry," "It was my fault," "I didn't see you," or "I'm fine." Anything you say can be used against you. Simply exchange information and speak only to police. Fault is determined by investigation, not by who apologized.
8
Notify your insurance company today
Call your insurer as soon as possible — most policies require prompt reporting. You can report the accident without filing a claim. Give factual information only. Do not give a recorded statement to the OTHER driver's insurance without talking to an attorney first.
9
See a doctor within 24-48 hours
Whiplash, concussion, and soft tissue injuries often don't show up immediately. A medical record documenting your injuries is critical if you need to make a personal injury claim. Do not skip this even if you feel okay.
⚠️ Other driver has no insurance?
Check if you have Uninsured Motorist coverage on your own policy — most states require insurers to offer it. File a claim with YOUR insurance and consider consulting a personal injury attorney (most work on contingency — no money upfront).
💡 Dashcam footage?
If you have a dashcam, do not delete anything. Save the footage immediately — it could be the most valuable evidence you have.
🤖
Bethanie — Accident Guidance
Ask anything about your situation
I'm here to help you through this. Tell me what happened — I can help you figure out next steps, what to say to insurance, whether you need an attorney, or anything else about your situation.
🔐
Identity Theft Response
Act fast — the first 48 hours are critical. Work through this in order.
🚨 Speed matters.
Every hour you wait gives thieves more time to open accounts, apply for credit, and file tax returns in your name. Start with Step 1 right now.
0 / 8 steps
1
Freeze your credit at all three bureaus — right now
A freeze is FREE and prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. Do all three: Equifax: equifax.com or 800-349-9960 Experian: experian.com or 888-397-3742 TransUnion: transunion.com or 888-909-8872 Also freeze at ChexSystems (for bank accounts) and NCTUE (for utilities).
2
File an Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov
Go to IdentityTheft.gov (official FTC site). Create a personalized recovery plan. This generates an official FTC Identity Theft Report — you'll need it to dispute fraudulent accounts and get protection under federal law.
3
File a police report
Go to your local police department with your FTC report and government ID. Get the case number. Some creditors require a police report to remove fraudulent accounts. Many departments now allow online filing.
4
Pull your credit reports — free at AnnualCreditReport.com
Get all three reports at once. Look for: • Accounts you didn't open • Inquiries you didn't authorize • Addresses you've never lived at • Employers you've never worked for Write down every fraudulent item you find.
5
Dispute fraudulent accounts with each bureau
Send dispute letters to each bureau for every fraudulent account. Include your FTC and police report numbers. Bureaus must investigate within 30 days and remove items they cannot verify. Use our Credit Dispute Generator →
6
Contact each company where fraud occurred
Call the fraud department of every company where accounts were opened in your name. Ask them to close the account and send written confirmation. Request that they remove the account from your credit report and waive any fraudulent charges.
7
Change passwords and secure your accounts
Change passwords on email, banking, social media, and any account that uses the compromised information. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere. Consider a password manager. Check if your email was part of a data breach at haveibeenpwned.com.
8
Monitor for 12 months
Identity theft effects can appear months later. Set up free fraud alerts at all three bureaus (1-year renewable). Consider credit monitoring. Review your credit reports every few months. If tax fraud is suspected, file IRS Form 14039 immediately.
⚠️ Tax identity theft?
If someone filed a tax return in your name, call the IRS Identity Protection Unit: 800-908-4490. File IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit). You may need to file a paper return this year.
🤖
Bethanie — Identity Theft Guidance
Tell me what happened and I'll help
I'm sorry this is happening. Tell me what you've discovered — what accounts were opened, how you found out, and where you are in the process — and I'll help you figure out the next moves.
👴
Caregiver Crisis Guide
When a parent or loved one needs more help than you expected.
💙 This guide covers:
Sudden hospitalization, memory/dementia progression, taking legal control (POA), finding care options, and how to handle the emotional weight of this role.
0 / 8 steps
1
Assess the immediate situation
Is this a medical emergency? Call 911 if there's any risk to their safety. If they've fallen, are confused, have not eaten in days, or show signs of stroke (FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) — call immediately.
2
Establish legal authority — Power of Attorney
Without legal authority, you cannot make medical or financial decisions for your loved one — even if you're their child. You need: • Medical POA (Healthcare Proxy) — medical decisions • Financial POA — bank access, bills, property If they still have mental capacity: get an attorney to draft these NOW, before a crisis takes that ability away.
3
If they no longer have capacity — guardianship
If your loved one can no longer make decisions and there is no existing POA, you must petition the court for guardianship/conservatorship. This takes time and money. An elder law attorney can help you move quickly. AARP Legal Services and local legal aid can reduce costs.
4
Get their finances organized
Find and organize: Social Security info, Medicare/Medicaid cards, pension documents, bank accounts, insurance policies, will and trust documents, property deeds, outstanding debts. Many seniors have automatic payments on accounts that won't be managed during a crisis.
5
Understand their Medicare and Medicaid benefits
Medicare covers hospital stays, some skilled nursing, home health — but has gaps. Medicaid covers long-term care but requires asset spend-down. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free counseling. Understanding this can save tens of thousands of dollars.
6
Research care options
From least to most intensive: • In-home care — aides come to them (4-8hrs/day) • Adult day programs — structured daytime care • Assisted living — semi-independent, support available • Memory care — secured facility for dementia • Skilled nursing facility — 24/7 medical care Medicare's Nursing Home Compare tool: medicare.gov/care-compare
7
Build your support network
Caregiver burnout is real and dangerous. You cannot do this alone. • AARP Caregiver Resource Line: 877-333-5885 • Eldercare Locator: eldercare.acl.gov or 800-677-1116 • National Alliance for Caregiving: caregiving.org • Ask family members for specific help — "Can you take Thursdays?"
8
Take care of yourself too
This is not optional. Caregiver depression, anxiety, and physical illness are extremely common. Set aside time that is yours. Tell your doctor you are a caregiver — there are medical implications. It's not selfish to protect your own health; it's what makes sustained caregiving possible.
Tell me what's happening — I can help navigate this
I know this is incredibly hard. Whether you're dealing with a sudden crisis or a slow progression, tell me what's going on — what happened, what your loved one's situation is, and what your biggest question is right now. I'll help you figure out the next step.