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Hopefully it won't happen to you. But if you are involved in an accident, whether it's a little prang in the supermarket car park or something much more serious, you need to know what to do. If the following info seems complicated, print it out and stick it in your glove box then you can use it for reference if you need to (hopefully you won't).
If no-one's hurt
- Stay calm - this is not the time for road rage (see the 'Keep your cool!' box below). Pull over or, if your car can't be moved, stay inside it with the engine off and your seatbelt on. If it isn't safe to stay in the car, move a short distance away until help arrives. Your safety is the most important thing.
- Swap the following details:
- Driver's name, address and phone numbers.
- Driver's licence number.
- Car type and registration details.
- Insurance company details.
- Ask witnesses for business cards or names and addresses in case your insurance company needs to contact them.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Draw a map of the accident zone including the location of your car and the other driver's car and where the crash happened. You can also take pictures with your mobile.
Keep your cool!
It's easy to lose your cool in the heat of the moment. Especially when it's obviously someone else's fault. Driving is inherently dangerous, and everybody makes an occasional mistake. Thankfully, it doesn't always result in an accident.
It's smarter to focus on whether you and your passengers are OK. Don't make accusations. Don't discuss what happened with anyone else but the police. Don't admit responsibility. Let the police and insurance company do their job. And in a serious accident, never be talked out of calling them! That's what you pay your taxes and insurance premiums for.
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If someone's injured
You'll also need to do a few extra things if anyone is hurt.
- Call 000 or 112 from a mobile and ask for the police and an ambulance.
- Don't move the injured person. Either take standard first aid measures or wait for help to arrive. If a driver is unable to turn off the ignition, turn it off for them if it's safe to do so.
- The police will talk to everyone involved, including any witnesses, and may charge the relevant drivers. If you're charged you may have to go to court, or you may be issued with an infringement notice.
- After any serious accident, particularly where people are hurt, it is routine for police to test drivers for drink driving or drug use.
Remember, never leave the scene of an accident if someone has been injured, as it's an offence that could cost you dearly.
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