Regardless of what Snopes says or even whether you want to label it an urban myth or not, both scenarios the OP posted are very real possibilities. And trust me, if you have an accident where you are unconscious, even if you don't have your next of kin identified as such in your phone, the police will figure it out. (Afterall, they managed before cell phones and GPS's existed, so I think they can do it now as well
) I think it's far more important in today's society to be as safe as possible out there and it only takes a few easy precautions, like the OP mentioned, to stay just a bit safer. So thanks for the info - it's much appreciated!!