What to do after a car accident

According to the Department of Transport the number of people killed in road accidents fell by 14 per cent from 2007 to 2008. However, with more than 200,000 people still injured on the roads each year it’s vital to be well prepared for accidents with suitable car insurance and by knowing exactly what to do when these unfortunate events occur.

Here we offer a step by step guide to help you cope with these situations.

Step one: Be prepared

It may seem odd to prepare for an accident before one occurs, but it’s a sensible move that can save a lot of hassle in the long run.

With that in mind, carry a notepad, pen and pencil in the car with you at all times. This will allow you to note down the details of anybody else involved in an accident. Also consider carrying a camera or camera phone so you can take photographs at the scene and ensure you carry your driver’s licence and have a copy of your insurance details so these can be passed on as necessary.

Step two: Stop when an accident occurs

No matter how minor the incident may be, it’s vital that you stop as soon as it is safe to do so as failing to do so is an offence under the Road Traffic Act. Switch your car’s engine off, turn your hazard lights on to alert other road users of your presence and then take a look around you to see if anyone has been injured.

If there are any injuries you should call both the police and an ambulance immediately. The police should also be called if the accident is blocking the road or if there is a lot of debris on the road.

Should you hit a dog or farm animal, you are required by law to report the incident to the police. However, if you hit a cat or wild animal, there is no obligation to make a report but you are expected to stop and ensure that the animal is not injured or suffering.

Step three: Give and take details

When an accident occurs you are obliged to give your name and address to anyone else who is involved. You should also give your details if you crash into something on or near the road even if there are no other people involved – for example, if you hit a parked car you should leave your details on the windscreen.

Remember to take details too. You should ask for names, addresses and contact numbers. Ask the other drivers involved for their car insurance details and find out if they are the registered keeper of the vehicle – if they’re not, then find out who is and note down their name and address too. If you crashed into a commercial vehicle, then make sure you note the details of the company concerned. Should someone leave the scene of an accident without exchanging details then call the police immediately.

Do not admit blame or say you are sorry for an accident as this could cause problems when your insurance company becomes involved.

Step four: Gather as much information as possible

It’s not just the exchange of details that’s important when an accident occurs. You should also collect as much information as possible at the scene – this will help you prove a car insurance claim and help resolve any potential disputes.

For example, note down the registration, vehicle model, make and colour of all vehicles involved. Also make a note of the time and date of the crash and the weather conditions. Look for anything unusual – such as problems with the road or the lighting and make a note of any damage to the vehicles, as well as any injuries that may have occurred.

Ideally, use a camera and take pictures at the scene. If you don’t have a camera, then make a sketch of the vehicles, and, in particular, note down their positions. 

Look for witnesses too and exchange details with them. If a police officer is called to the scene, then note down their information too.

Step five: Contact the police and your insurer

Car accidents should be reported to the police within 24hrs or you could face a fine, penalty points or even be disqualified from driving. Normally when contacting the police you will be given an incident number, which you can pass on to an insurer.

Contact your car insurance provider as soon as possible as failure to do so within a set time period may invalidate a claim. Even if you don’t plan to claim, for example if the damage is relatively minor, you must still inform your insurer of the accident or you would be failing to comply with the policy’s conditions.

Pass on as much information as possible to the insurer as this will help the claims process run smoothly. Give them all the details you have including photographs and notes and be honest when filling out a claims form. From there, it’s over to the insurer to settle the claim – they may ask you to get a quote from a repairer or arrange repairs with an approved company of its own choice.

By Paul Lucas 

Car Breakers, used car parts & scrap yards. Secondhand second hand parts