Personal Identification: What to have if You are Injured

No one wants to be involved in an accident. But current accident statistics show that there are about 6 million accidents involving cars each year. Three million people that are involved in car accidents are hurt, some of them permanently. That does not include accidents that happen on the water and in the air. The chances are good that you will be involved in some type of accident at some point in your life, so it is important to plan ahead and be prepared.

Here are some of the kinds of identification that you should carry with you in case of emergency.

Driver's License – Most people carry their driver's license with them at all times. However, there are people that routinely leave their license at home, especially if they are not driving. This is an error. If you are in a serious accident, rescue personnel will want to be able to notify those close to you. If you don't have a picture ID, this will be much more difficult for them. Make sure your driver's license is with you when you are out and about. In addition, keep the information such as your address on it up to date Even though the identification card picture is not your best shot, the photo idcan still help identify you! Another good reason to have your driver's license with you when you go out is that if you have chosen to be an organ donor, your choice is listed on your license.

Medical Alert Jewelry/ID – If you are knocked unconscious or are unable to speak for yourself and you have some sort of urgent medical need, you would be wise to have a medical alert bracelet, necklace or some other form of medical alert identification. People with diabetes, those with food or drug allergies, people with pacemakers or even those with special needs can benefit from having this type of identification. These ID items alert medical personnel prior to beginning treatment to your condition. These important items have proven to be lifesaving devices time and time again.

Insurance Card/Medical Information – Having your medical insurance card in your wallet or purse is a good idea. You will definitely need it if you are involved in an accident, and it is very hard to recall the information if you have just been traumatized or hurt. If you take a large number of medications, you should also always carry a list of your current medications with you. Drug interactions can be serious to the point of being life-threatening, so you want medical personnel to know to take the correct precautions. This includes herbal treatments, too.

Auto Insurance Card – You might think that everyone carries their auto insurance card in their vehicle, wallet or purse. But some people don't always have them. If you are the driver, you want to have this information on hand. Recalling specific insurance information is sometimes difficult, and the police will want to see proof of insurance as well as your vehicle registration. Keep these cards in your vehicle or your wallet, whichever you prefer and make sure everyone who drives your vehicle knows where they are.

Catherine Williams writes about current personal and business security solutions. For more information about PVC cards, visit us at www.safecardid.com