Many of us never dream that we could one day be in a car accident, but the scary reality is that it could happen to absolutely anyone if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. As a result of being naïve, many of us wouldn’t know what to do if we were ever put in that position, but it is essential that the right steps are taken immediately to prevent any further complications from occurring.
If you are ever involved in a car accident, the following tips will come in useful to help protect yourself and your rights:
1. Stop
As soon as the accident happens, stop the car immediately, even if it’s just a minor bump. If you fail to do so, you are actually committing a criminal offence as stated by the road traffic act.
2. Protect the scene
If you are able to, leave the car and aim to alert any oncoming cars to prevent further accidents. You can do this by by putting your hazard lights or waving your arms around to gain attention from passers-by. It would always be wise to carry a torch should the accident happen in the dark so that you’re able to find your way around the scene safely.
3. Call the police
Even if no-one is injured or you can’t see any obvious signs of damage to either car, it would still be a good idea to get in contact with the police to investigate the scene. You may need a police report in order to make an insurance claim for injuries or damage, even if it’s just a minor scuff on your vehicle. So that the police can make a thorough investigation ensure you don’t move your vehicles from their original position unless, of course, the position of the vehicles is an obvious hazard to other cars.
4. Call breakdown recovery
After a serious collision, there’s a high likelihood that your car will need to be repaired in order for it to be driven. However, if it isn’t in drivable condition, it would be worth seeking the assistance of a vehicle recovery service such as Motors Recovery to either take your car away for repairs or jump-start it.
5. Give your details
It is a legal obligation to give your details to the other party and anyone else who may have been involved in the accident. Even if you hit a parked car with no driver or passenger present, you should still leave your details on the windscreen so they will be able to get in touch with your insurance company.
6. Take pictures
It would always be a good idea to take photos of the scene if you notice any visual damage or injuries. However, be sure not to get in the way during any police investigation. Instead, aim to take photos before the police arrive as these can be used as visual evidence to help your case if you needed to claim on insurance.