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A road accident is an inevitable phenomenon, and we must all learn how to manage it. The psychological and physical damages involved in road accidents can throw you into disarray, making it difficult for you to maintain a clear head and know the right actions to take. By taking the right moves, you will avert more debilitating situations such as death. You can face a criminal punishment or hefty fine if you take the wrong action after an accident. On the other hand, you can make a successful accident claim and recoup your losses if you choose the right steps immediately after a road accident. This post will guide you on the swift actions you must take after a road accident. Follow me, let me guide you through.
Stop your car
The first action to take after a road accident is to stop your car. You must switch off your car’s engine, despite the gravity of the accident. Failing to stop its offensive, contrary to the Road Traffic Act, and can land you in serious trouble. Raise the alarm and inform other people around about the accident by switching-on your car’s hazard lights.
Make the right calls
You should be very vigilant at the accident scene. Look around and ascertain the severity of the accident. Depending on the situation, call 999 emergency, ambulance, fire service, or police. Be very hasty, especially if the victim sustains injuries. Call the police even if there is no emergency. In some cases, the road might be blocked, and the other driver may have faked the accident for “crash for cash” scam. If you notice any foul play, call the police immediately.
If you notice a hit and run driver, write down the plate number of their car and report to the police.
Pictures or footage of the accident scene can serve as sharp pieces of evidence of the foul play. Your phone or dash Cam can play excellent roles here.
Give out your details
You must give out your personal information (name, address, and phone number) to other victims at the accident scene, whether the accident is your fault or not.
Accidents can take different forms. You may run into an item or a parked car. No matter the situation, you are obliged to stop your car and drop your details on the car’s windscreen.
Don’t accept blames of any kind. Don’t apologize to anyone in your attempt to be polite, as this may be used against you during the hearing of the case. Don’t delay in reporting cases of the car accident to the police. You must report all cases within 24 hours; failure can cause hefty fines and other financial losses.
Collect necessary details from other victims
You must collect the personal information of other victims, drivers, passengers, and witnesses of the accident. Write their names, addresses, and phone numbers. More so, you should find out about their insurance details. As for the other driver, find out whether he is the real owner of the car. Be very watchful, call 999, the police immediately anyone attempts to abscond without dropping their details.
- Take note of the time and date of the accident.
- The color, the model, make, and plate number of all the vehicles in the accident scene must be written down.
- Take note of each vehicle; a sketch, picture, or video will buttress this fact.
- Take note of the weather, the quality of the road, lighting, or any strange thing about the accident scene.
- Write a comprehensive narration about the accident, the damages caused, injuries sustained, and the people involved, whether pedestrians, passengers, or drivers.
Your mobile phone will serve you a lot, as you can use it to record videos, take photographs, and other essential details about the accident. Being stranded on the road is never a child’s play, so don’t hesitate to follow our guide.
Kick start the process of making claims
Once the tension is calm, call on your insurer and intimates him about the incident. If you sustained an injury, your car was damaged, and you are not at fault, kickstart your compensation claims.
Inform your insurance company
Paramount is to inform your insurance company about your accident, whether you want to file a claim or not. Do it as soon as possible, as delaying may invalidate your insurance cover. You may be left with a large bill; who knows whether your opposite party will file a claim against you? Review the insurance policy of your company, and be sure that you are on a safe side. More so, it would be best if you provide essential information about the other driver to your insurance company. Your insurance company can then contact their insurer and resolve the claims amicably.
What happens if you incurred losses or sustained injuries?
Get in contact with a personal injury claims company for help if the accident was not your fault. This is the first step in your journey to making a claim for compensation and recovering your losses.