Although most of us will never be a part of one, car accidents can and do happen. When you take a step back and think about how fast you move when driving, this isn’t really surprising. If you’re caught in a collision, do you want to be the panicking wreck, or the voice of reason? I thought so. Here’s a guide on what to do if you’re involved in a traffic accident.
The first thing to do is stop if you haven’t already. Even if the damage seems minor, and the other driver looks like he wants to pull your head off, stopping at the scene is very important. If you fail to do so, you could be committing a punishable offence. As soon as it’s safe, pull over, turn the engine off and switch on the hazards. This will keep other drivers aware of you, and ensure that the accident doesn’t become even worse! After this, you should call the emergency services. During this call, make sure to include any details that could be relevant. This will ensure that the right people and equipment are sent out the first time around!
Next, you may have to give out some of your details. You’re obliged to do this if your vehicle is involved in any kind of collision. If there’s nothing more serious going on, then you can expect to be grilled by at least one of the other drivers. When this happens, answer all of the questions honestly and calmly. The one thing you shouldn’t do is apologize, or accept the blame. Hopefully, this goes against your nature. Bear in mind though that some people see modern day car crashes as gold mines. When you hear how much compensation for car accident injuries some people get, it’s easy to understand why! Whether it was your fault or not, don’t go into it. What you say may come up in court later and hurt your defence. Remember that you need to give your name and address even for the most minor of incidents. If you hit a parked car, for example, you’d need to leave it on a note on the windshield.
Finally, if the accident was someone else’s fault, be sure to collect evidence right at the scene. Car crashes can make tempers run extremely high. However, if you want it to pan out in the best way possible, you need to keep a cool head. It may be tempting to get into an argument with someone at the scene, but let it fizzle out. Instead, work for your own benefit. Note down registration numbers, makes and models, and the time and date of the incident. After that, it may be worth writing down the weather conditions at the time, and taking pictures of the way vehicles are lain out. You wouldn’t believe what comes up in the courts sometimes!
Take these steps after a car accident, and you’ll come out of it in the best way possible. No matter the situation, focussing on keeping a cool head is the best thing you can do.
No Comments