If you’ve ever been involved in a car crash, you know how difficult it can be to remember each detail of protocol: the information you need to collect from the other party, who you need to call, and what steps you need to take to get you and your car someplace safe. And a scenario we hope none of us ever encounters: being involved in a car crash and not being able to immediately call for help, due to injury or vehicle damage.

The following apps won’t entertain you during downtime, and they won’t help you manage your responsibilities, but if you’re ever in an emergency situation while driving, these are the apps to have around.

Our Picks for Car Crash Help:

AxiKit Accident Report Kit
AxiKit works with iOS and Android, and can protect both individuals and business (like trucking companies). The app guides users through each step of the process when involved in a crash, from what kinds of statements to make (and which to avoid), how to gather witness testimony (with voice recording and storing) and which pictures to take (with a photo checklist). AxiKit can also customize the app for a specific company (including emergency contacts and company procedures).

Collision Call
Collision Call, available for iOS and Android, automatically calls emergency services as soon as you become involved in a car crash. The app uses G-force measurements to determine when crashes take place (but don’t worry, stopping fast or dropping your phone won’t set off an alert). Before you begin driving, just open the app, and then in the event of a collision, emergency services will be immediately dispatched. Users can also set the app to alert friends and family in the event of a crash. Collision Call can be used while riding motorcycles, bikes, subways, and by passengers in any type of vehicle. In order for the app to make an emergency call on your behalf, you must turn it on ahead of time and keep it running for the duration of your trip. The app uses GPS, so it’ll drain your battery, but charging your phone while driving is an easy fix.

SOSmart
SOSmart is an app for emergency situations: drivers can open the app before hitting the road (or use an automatic mode which detects when you are in a moving vehicle) and, like Collision Call, this app will alert the user’s pre-selected emergency contacts to their location in the event of a crash. Emergency contacts can then alert first responders. SOSmart also displays nearby hospitals—and the routes to them—in the event of an emergency. The panic button allows app users to alert their emergency contacts so that they can help immediately, if need be. Like Collision Call, this app uses GPS to monitor your situation, so if you keep it on while driving, it will use a significant portion of your battery (so keep your phone charging for this app, too).

Many auto insurance companies also offer their customers car crash apps to help guide them through the aftermath. For example, Progressive’s mobile app can store photos from the scene of a crash, locate a service center, send roadside assistance, and call an agent.

Our Picks for Emergency Help:

First Aid by American Red Cross
This official First Aid app from the American Red Cross, “gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. With videos, interactive quizzes, and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.” The app is easy to use, and super helpful: just open it up, and a handy list of potential emergencies pops up. Events like “anaphylaxis,” “choking,” “heat stroke,” and even “Ebola.” You can even test your emergency situation knowledge within the app.

wikiHow
Need to help delivering a baby? Stranded in your car, on the edge of a cliff? Looking for a how-to guide on almost anything? WikiHow is for you. The app boasts over 150,000 how-to guides that include step-by-step instructions, that you can read or watch. Within the app, there’s an entire Survival Kit (in which the info is stored offline, so you won’t even need internet access during that bear attack or emergency airplane landing) to help with tire changing, getting your car out of the snow, and a multitude of other handy tips. Some (most) articles–like how to escape from a sinking car–you’d be better off reading ahead of time, rather than in the moment, but we love the thoroughness!

Source:  The Zebra