Accidents happen in life, and, unfortunately, they tend to happen even more on the road. Most people have been involved in an auto accident at some point in their lives, whether it’s a minor bang on a bollard or a severe motorway incident.
But what do you do in the event of an accident? If it’s a major event, the chances are you will be reliant on other people to help. However, for minor incidents, there are several things you have to do. Check out our list to find out more.
Stay where you are
Make sure you are safe and away from any oncoming vehicles, but you should stay where you are. No matter how minor the accident, you should never drive away from it.
Ensure the safety of others
Car accidents often lead to more incidents. So, it’s important to limit the danger to others by letting them know what has happened. You can put your hazard lights on, or even use a bright torch to signal danger if it is dark.
Ring the police
It’s a good idea to call the police, regardless of whether or not there have been injuries. This is especially relevant if your car is still on the road. The police can help protect you and other road users by setting up a roadblock warning signs. You may also need a police report if you are to file an insurance claim.
Gather your evidence
Robust evidence could help you with a court case or insurance claim, so collect your thoughts – and those of other people. If the police arrive and ask you if you are injured, never say no. Even if you feel fine, the symptoms of an injury may not show up straight away. Also, take statements from the other driver and their passengers, and take down their details. You’ll need their car registration, home address and telephone numbers. Take pictures, too, if you have a camera or smartphone on you. They could go a long way towards supporting your claim.
Get medical help
It’s a good idea to get a medical checkup, even if you feel fine. As we mentioned before, you may not feel the symptoms for a couple of days – so it’s important there aren’t any underlying issues.
Call your insurance
Next, make a call to your insurance company, and explain what happened. Most policies state you have to call immediately, so don’t delay or your claim may not get anywhere.
Fix your car
If you need to get your car back on the road, it’s important to fix it as quick as possible. If you don’t have the cash, there are loans available for car repairs. Take a look at CarRepairLoans to see the type of service you can expect. If your insurance claim is successful, you should get your money back, but without being able to get to work, you will be throwing money down the drain.
Get a lawyer
Finally, you may need to use a lawyer. While you can represent yourself during a claim, there will be a fight to reduce your payment. Not just from your insurance company, but also from the other driver. A good accident lawyer will help make sure you get everything you deserve.
Stay safe out there, folks!
Tags: bright torch CarRepair Robust evidence
