One of our other blogs tackles the subject of how to avoid car accidents but what do you do if you are involved in a car-related incident through no fault of your own? This next blog explores the steps to take if you find you are the victim of a road traffic incident.
- Check for injuries: First things first, make sure everyone in your car is okay, if you are uninjured, check the occupants of the other car as well. If anybody is injured call for an ambulance and get medical support as fast as you can.
- Remain calm: There’s no point flying into a rage, this won’t help and it could hinder the way you deal with the incident. Remain calm no matter how annoyed you might feel at seeing your car ‘trashed’, it’ll help you to stay focused.
- Exchange details: Swap names and addresses, car registration numbers and the registered keeper of the vehicle if different from the driver. It’s a good idea to swap mobile numbers as well and report the incident and produce your car insurance documents at the police station within 24 hours just to be on the safe side.
- Check for witnesses: It’s amazing at how stories change once guilty parties get home and their heads start to clear. They might admit liability at the scene but suddenly deny all knowledge later on. Speak to witnesses at the scene if you can, get their details for future reference.
- Map the scene: Take pictures with your mobile phone before the cars are moved, draw a sketch of the road, mark down street names, and details of the vehicle that crashed into your car. Take a good look at the driver and any passengers they are carrying, people swap identities after crashes, try to get a picture of the driver if you can, discreetly of course. The more evidence you can gather at the time of the incident the smoother your claim will be.
Hopefully you’ll never have to use these tips but if you find you are the victim in a road traffic accident feel free to contact us at Attwood whenever you want.