What to do After an Accident

Although we all hope it will never happen to us, the sad fact is that many of us will become involved in some sort of car accident at some time in our lives. If this does happen to you, follow this step by step advice about what you must do at the scene.

1. Stop

By law you must stop if you have been involved in accident, whether or not the accident was your fault. If there is nobody else at the scene of the accident, you must report the accident to the police, in person, within 24 hours. If you bump a parked car, and the owner is nowhere to be seen, you are legally obliged to leave a note with your contact details on the windshield.

2. Check for Casualties

Switch off your engine and turn on your hazard flashers to make sure that other drivers can see you. Check that everyone is safe and that there are no injuries. If anyone has been injured, you MUST call the police, and make sure an ambulance is on the way if it's serious.

You should contact the police if the road is blocked or damaged, or if anyone leaves the scene without exchanging details.

3. Exchange Details

All drivers involved in the accident must exchange details. Make sure that you have (and have given) the following information:

Name
Address
Telephone number
Make, model and registration number
Insurance details and policy number

If the name on the auto registration and/or insurance policy is different from the name of the driver, establish the relationship and jot it down. Offer to show a form of identification as a gesture of goodwill to the other drivers, and ask to see theirs in return.

4. Find Any Witnesses

Make sure you have the full name and address (and registration number if applicable) of any eye-witnesses.

5. Note the Accident Details

Make a sketch at the scene of the accident adding in as many details as possible; include street names, the position of the vehicles, collision points, directions of travel and skid marks. If you have a camera (many cellphones now incorporate a camera), take photos of the vehicle positions and damage; however be careful when taking photos near busy roads.

Note the date, time and location of the incident, and also the extent of damage and whether the vehicles are still driveable. It is also worth making a note of any statements made at the scene by any of the parties involved, including any witnesses. However, never get into a discussion about who was to blame, and NEVER admit liability, as this may create problems for you and your insurers in the handling of your claim.

Record any other details that might be useful, such as if one of the drivers was using a cellphone at the time of the accident, or if anyone involved is physically injured or complaining of pain and discomfort.