You cannot ever be prepared for an accident, but with the festive season creeping up on us, we would like to share some helpful tips to help you feel more confident on what to do if you find yourself in a similar scenario.
Safety for yourself, your passengers and your vehicle should always be your number one priority.
What should you do at the scene of an accident?
You should immediately bring your car to a stop and turn on your hazard lights. All cars involved need to remain at the scene and wait for law enforcement to arrive. Place your safety triangle behind your vehicle at a fair distance to warn upcoming vehicles of what is ahead, this will also prompt them to slow down. If you are not injured, you should try to check on the other people in the vehicle to identify if someone is seriously injured. If so, immediately call an ambulance (or dial 112) to get help on the way.
Try to make notes at the scene, such as the time, date, and location as well as all the involved cars’ details such as make, model and colour. Use your cell phone to take photos and videos as evidence. The more information you can capture, the better. Don’t forget to take down the contact details of those involved in the accident as well as their vehicle registration numbers and insurance company details. Keep an eye out for eyewitnesses who can support your version of what has happened. This will help when it comes to reporting the accident to the police station as well as to your vehicle insurance company. You should report the accident to the police station within 24 hours if the police were not at the scene of the accident.
When informing your car insurance company of the details of the accident, it is important to provide accurate information and explanations. You should always be honest regarding what the cause of the accident was and who was at fault.
If the accident was caused by the other driver, then their car insurance company is liable to cover the cost of the repairs needed for your damaged vehicle once the claim has been received and approved. If the other driver is not insured, then you or your vehicle insurance provider will be responsible for covering the costs of the repairs needed for your car.
Accidents are often unexpected and can happen anywhere and at any time, often leaving those involved in complete shock. It is important to try and remember to take some time to properly assess the situation, take deep breaths, and remain as calm as possible in the chaos. Therefore, comprehensive car insurance is necessary as it will protect you and any third party involved in the incident.
We ensure that our canopies are of premium quality and all our products are designed using the latest in computer-aided design. Read more about Rhinoman:
https://rhinoman.co.za/about-us-2/
This article was originally published on:
https://motorpress.co.za/articles/involved-in-a-car-accident-heres-what-to-do
