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Page 3 of 3 What To Do In Case of an AccidentCommunicating with the Insurance Agent Keep these tips in mind if you should get in an accident. It is important to do a little preparation before driving in Mexico, as mentioned below and on the previous page. However, the best advise is to remain calm should you find yourself in an accident on the road.
Most importantly, your insurance policy should be up-to-date! In case of an accident, after you’ve made sure no-one is injured, call your insurance company and notify them of what has happened. Annotate your policy number. In the case of group insurance, know the registry number that identifies your individual coverage. Provide all details pertaining to the car insured, such as make, model, color, license plates. Report the exact location - so they can find you - of the accident. Give your cellular phone number. If you are arrested or your car is towed away to the police station, provide the name of colonia and the district attorney’s office where you will make a deposition. Remember that your insurance agent is your best ally.
The following information should ideally be kept inside your glove compartment. It is your responsibility to update these now and then, as numbers may change at anytime (it might be useful to dial each number and make sure it works): Emergency Phone Numbers Mexico City: To report an emergency within the D. F. area, dial 060 or 061. State of Mexico: If within this jurisdiction area, dial 01-800-590-1000, then dial 1. Any Highway within the Mexican Republic: Should you suffer a serious accident or be the victim of crime, dial these numbers in Mexico City. You will be connected to your closest PFP Highway Patrol station: 01-800-440-3690 and/or 5481-4649, 5481-4619. Medical Emergencies: Our suggested Medical Advisor is Dr. Jorge Cervantes Castro, MD, a surgeon. He operates out of the ABC Hospital. His numbers are: Office 5272-3410, 5272-2244, 5596-0730. Radio 5208-7866 clave Alfa 2. The best hospital facility in Mexico for expatriates with proper medical insurance is also the ABC Hospital. Their 24-hour switchboard number is 5230-8000. Other options are the Metropolitano Hospital, 5265-1900 or 5265-1800, and the less-expensive Trinidad Hospital that specializes in orthopedics, 5574-7633, 5574-7639. The latter two are located in Colonia Roma. Refer to this link for more information on Mexican State Governments and their current contact information. The following information on what to do in case of an accident is from Wikipedia: In an automobile accident, the first thing you must do is make sure no one is injured. Life is the most precious thing we all have. Make sure you are ok. DO NOT PANIC. Adrenaline pumping, state of shock, excitement, dead victims or injured bodies that follow any accident often do not let common sense take its course. After a collision, debris, cars' positions, dead victims, injured bodies or objects on the pavement may provoke additional accidents. Beware of this. Please calm down. If need be, provide necessary first-aid. Fatal cases do not require assistance. Look after the injured; make sure this accident will not provoke others. If unable to help, look for someone who can assist on site. Once the most urgent life-saving steps are taken care of, do this: Immediately take descriptive note of cars involved, to include their license tags, photos, if possible. Reach in your glove compartment for your insurance company's emergency number and report the problem. Make sure you know your exact location. Follow to the letter your insurance agents' suggested route of action. Take note of names of drivers, license numbers. If police report to the scene, note their car numbers and the names of officers involved. Take note of time, circumstances. At the first possible chance, call your family or office colleagues and let them know your exact location, in the event you need help. While volunteers may come to your rescue, NOT ALL these may be well-intended. As sad as this may sound, beware of strangers who may offer you a helping hand. Use your judgment, intuition.
By Mario Gonzalez-Roman (a retired Foreign Service National Security Advisor to the United States Embassy) Return to top
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There is nothing more precious than family safety and unity. The better the communication that exists among all members of your family, the more prepared everybody will be to prevent crime. Children are exposed to easily preventable dangers if they are not properly trained by their parents. By following these recommendations you will better protect your children, whether they are at home or around town.
| | Earthquakes
Mexico City was the focus of the world's attention in September of 1985 when an earthquake of magnitude 8.1 on the Richter scale changed the city permanently. The origin of this ferocious natural disaster came from the Michoacan coastline and destroyed hundreds of buildings in Mexico City alone.
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The bad news is that kidnappings in Mexico are on the rise. Both Mexicans and foreigners are victims, because in Mexico there are 3 common types of kidnappings. Unfortunately, children are the most targeted group. Second, tourists and middle- or upper-class Mexicans are at risk for "Kidnapping Express," and lastly wealthy Mexican businessmen are also snatched and held for large ransoms.
| Evacuations and Emergencies
As citizens it is all our responsibility to be ready to respond efficiently and quickly in case of an emergency. We can not always rely on what our governments say they will do for us; we must also make preparations for ourselves. Individuals must learn that in the case of an evacuation or emergency, respect, order and discipline must prevail, for the safety of all.
| | Weapons Permits
In the United States, each individual state has its own laws, regulations and weapon permits. However, in Mexico, it is illegal for foreigners to carry firearms. Read more on this page about weapons permits and Mexican law.
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