Drivers should be aware of the finger of fate pointing permanently at their car.

No matter how diligently we adhere to the survival tactics of creating escape routes, scanning for dangers, reading the road - and generally accepting that every other vehicle out there is going to do something stupid - we will all be involved in a road traffic accident.

However, with luck, training and low expectations of other road users, your involvement in an RTA could be just as a witness. You could also be a life saver.

First, there are items which you should always carry in your car - and your fleet manager makes sure are provided:

• The freephone accident assistance telephone number of your insurer or accident management provider
• The direct line number of your fleet manager
• An accident report form - usually provided by the insurer in a format that enables the driver to jot down basic details and draw a sketch of the accident scene. The form should contain a stylised drawing of a car, showing all the external components and enabling you to indicate which parts of your car have been damaged and which parts of the other party's vehicle have been damaged.
• A pen
• A disposable camera - many manufacturers leave one of these in the glovebox as a courtesy, but if you haven't got one, pester your fleet manager to get you one (unless you're confident you can take a reasonable set of images showing the conditions and damage at the scene using your mobile phone). The police also recommend you take a picture of the other driver(s) involved at the accident scene.

The following CCD guidelines of what to do at the scene of an RTA apply equally to those involved in a crash and to those who are caught up in the aftermath:

• Pull over to a safe place and turn on your hazard lights to warn other motorists of potential danger.
• Try to stay calm and, after you've taken in the scene and made sure you and your occupants are safe, see if anyone involved in the accident needs help. If necessary, phone 999 for an ambulance to provide medical attention. Even if you have training, it is usually better to wait for the emergency services to administer first aid.
• Report the accident to the police if anyone is injured or if others refuse to co-operate and exchange details - their names, registration numbers, and contact details of insurers.
• If your vehicle was involved in the accident, don't admit liability or sign any statement admitting responsibility.
• Using the forms provided by your fleet manager, accident management provider or insurer, make notes of the time, date and location of the accident and take details of other drivers and potential witnesses.
• Preserve any evidence of the accident - debris should not be removed or covered until what has happened has been established and recorded by the police.
• Even if you do have a camera, make a sketch of the accident scene, indicating the position of vehicles involved and the damage to each vehicle.
• If another person is injured and you cannot produce your insurance certificate at the time of the accident to a police officer or to anyone having reasonable grounds to request it (it is not a legal requirements to have them with you), you must report the accident to the police as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours. You should also produce your insurance certificate for the police within seven days.
• Even if your vehicle has sustained light or no apparent damage, check it thoroughly before you drive off.
• Report the accident to your fleet manager, accident management company or insurer at the earliest opportunity.