The fact is that nearly all motorists are involved in an accident at some point in their lives. We hope that these are minor rather than serious accidents, but regardless, you should be prepared for this to happen and have some idea of how to conduct yourself if this is the case. Particularly for young drivers, it’s well worthwhile having some idea of what is expected of you in the aftermath of an accident and how to go about it to ensure that everyone is safe and the process is smooth sailing. Let’s take a look at what you should be doing after an accident on the road.
Remain Calm
People can get very upset and angry about what the behavior of other motorists on the road, but even if the other driver is at fault, it’s important to stay calm and collected. Losing your temper will usually only lead to a negative outcome, as it’s likely to upset the other person and create more tension than is necessary.
Ascertain Who to Blame
This is one of the most important parts of the process. You need to establish with the other driver the circumstances that led to the accident and who exactly is at fault from a legal perspective. Sometimes there will be some disagreement about that this, in which case the police and those who may have witnessed the accident may need to lend a hand.
In most cases, it is pretty clear who is at fault. Information should obviously be exchanged and it’s important to make sure the other driver is who they say they are.
Call the Police
For smaller accidents such as light bumps in the car park, for instance, this may not be necessary, but getting in touch with the police is an absolute must if there are is any significant damage to either car and/or passenger. Also, if traffic is being held up as a result of the accident and you’re unable to clear the road for whatever reason
If you’re unsure about whether it is safe to drive your car away from the scene, the police officers can advise you and help you organise for a tow-truck to come and collect it on your behalf. They should also take a statement from both drivers and create a police report. Lastly, make sure you get the officers’ names and details so you can get in touch with them if need be.
Take Photos
Having as much information as possible about the accident is ideal; you never know what could possibly happen down the track with regards to insurance, etc. So take a few snaps of the damage to your car, even if it’s just a bump or a few scratches. Even if the accident was your fault, it’s worthwhile having photo graphical evidence of the state of your vehicle for later on. More to the point, take photos of the other person’s car too! Your insurance might wind up having to pay for damage that simply wasn’t there.
Seek Medical Treatment if Needed
Your own safety is the most important, so if you believe you’ve been injured in any way, it’s worthwhile booking an appointment with your doctor relatively quickly. If you are found to be seriously injured and require medical assistance, whether it be a general practitioner, specialist or even a chiropractor, make sure you keep a detailed account of the treatment you have search out and the bills for said treatment. Any absent work days and other activities that you have missed as a result of this should be noted as well. This may be payable by the other driver’s insurance in some cases. If the accident is serious and you have sustained injuries, it may be in your best interests to speak to a lawyer to help you deal with the process that follows.
Having an accident can be a stressful experience and can produce a shock in many cases, but if you have some idea of what needs to be done on your part and you’re able to do that, the process can run as smoothly as possible. At Chadstone KIA, we are always looking to give sound advice to motorists to ensure safety on our roads. Keep an eye on this blog for more tips going forward.
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