So, you’ve been in a car accident. Perhaps the person in front you hit their brakes unexpectedly, or an animal has run across the road and cause you to swerve. We’ve all been there. Car accidents are horrible and often anxiety riddled. Knowing what steps to take after the accident can avoid making the already anxious situation even more stressful.

1)    Call emergency services (if it’s an emergency).

This is if there is an injury or death, or a hazardous environment to threaten public safety (e.g. vehicles obstructing road). Not all car accidents require police attention.

2)    Swap details

If there is no need for emergency services to attend, the first thing you should do is swap details. These details should include:

·      Name and address

·      The name and address of the owner of the vehicle (if you don’t own it)

·      The vehicle registration number

·      Any information necessary to identify the vehicle or contact the owner

It’s important to note that in any situation Policelink may be called to assist. This can be if you suspect drugs or alcohol are involved, or the other parties involved in the accident will not give over information. Policelink can help mediate the situation.

If the other party/s involved in the crash try to leave the scene without providing information, take down their registration number and any details about the crash, the vehicle, and who was driving. This can be provided to the police to help identify who was involved.

3)    Move any vehicles that can be moved to the side of the road.

Agree on the point of impact in order to inform authorities, and move as best as you can out of the way of traffic. If you are not obstructing the flow of traffic, do not move the vehicles until the police have arrived or you are ready to leave the site.

4)    Determine if your vehicle is safe to drive.

If you have had a small car accident (e.g. bumping someone at traffic lights), drive your vehicle home and book a check over ASAP. While there may seem to be little to no damage, this damage can sometimes not be visible. It’s important to get your vehicle checked to prevent anything flying under the radar.

If your vehicle cannot be driven, you’ll need to call your insurer or a towing company to get the vehicle towed. If you can’t do either of these options, contact Policelink and inform them of the situation. Make sure to exchange all details before you leave the crash site with your car, or you call a tow truck.

5)    Report the crash to Policelink (if your vehicle required towing, this is not required if your vehicle is safe to drive home).

This should be done once you leave the crash site. You must provide all the details of the car accident, and you will be provided with a report number. This is important to keep a hold of as it’ll help with any potential insurance claims.

What happens next will all depend on your insurer and the nature of the crash. Car accidents are scary, but they can happen to anyone. Knowing what to do in the event of one is important. If you need your vehicle inspected after an accident to assess damage, contact Auto Leaders today.