The thought of being in a car accident is horrible for many. However, it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself involved in such an incident. This could help save your life and the lives of others involved.
In this article, we’ll be listing the appropriate steps to take should you be involved in a car accident and what you should do if it wasn’t your fault.
Stop the car
Firstly, you should bring the car to a halt in a safe place as this is a legal requirement if you’ve been involved in a road traffic collision. Turn off the engine and alert other drivers of the incident by putting your hazard lights on.
Seek medical care
If you’ve suffered a serious accident, it’s important to call an ambulance if you or anyone else requires immediate medical attention.
Try to stay as calm as possible and avoid making any rushed decisions. Bear in mind that symptoms might not show immediately following an accident, especially if you are still in shock.
Car safety checks
Ensure the vehicle is stable and won’t put anyone in further danger. If you are in doubt, get as far away from the car as possible.
Speak to witnesses
Exchange details with any other drivers involved. Talk to any passengers or witnesses. Don’t apologise or admit fault as this will be up to the police and insurance providers should you need to make a car accident compensation claim.
Take photos
Capture any injuries to yourself and damage to the car following the incident. Note down the driving conditions and the time, date and location of the crash. Don’t forget to note the model of the other vehicle that was involved in the crash, including its colour and registration plate.
Contact your insurance provider
You can do this at the scene or as soon as you’re able to. Even if the accident was only minor, you should always notify your insurance provider of an accident. Otherwise, this could invalidate your policy.
You can make a claim to cover the cost of repair of your vehicle, other vehicles involved, and/or someone else’s property if that was damaged in the accident. You should also receive cover for any medical expenses required for you or anyone else who was accidentally harmed.
Report the accident
If the accident was incredibly serious, you should contact the police in the event of any injuries or if you were unable to secure the details of the other driver.
Perhaps they drove off or were unaccommodating to your request. This should ideally take place at the scene, or you can wait until you’re in a safe place to do so.
