Car accidents are inevitable. Yes, they suck, but they aren’t called accidents for nothing. In the commotion of a car accident, it can be challenging to get your bearings and often, all the “to-does” fly out the window. But if you’re able to, following these steps after a car accident will ensure your safety and help the authorities best deal with the incident in a timely manner. Not to mention, it’ll certainly help you if the accident progresses to court.
Here’s what you should do in the event of a car accident.
What should you do after a car accident?
Okay, so you’ve just had an accident? What’s it now? Follow these steps as soon as you can after the accident:
Immediate Actions:
- Stop immediately and help anyone who may be injured
- Provide your name, address, car owner’s details, and car registration number to other drivers involved or property owners who have damaged property because of the accident.
- Notify the police service within 24 hours if there’s injury, death, or a vehicle needs towing.
- Remove any dangerous debris from your vehicle, including oil spills, if possible.
If possible, we’d suggest that you also try to:
- Get the names and addresses of witnesses
- Make handwritten notes of conversations and a sketch of the accident
- Draw the accident scene, noting distances, street width, and lane markings. Take photos of the scene and vehicle damage
- Obtain full details of the other driver, including their license number and insurance details (both CTP and comprehensive)
- Avoid admitting liability at the scene, as it may affect your insurance coverage
- Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible to avoid denial of coverage
- Seek immediate medical attention if injured
- Take multiple photos of the vehicles’ positions, road conditions, and any relevant details to help determine what happened.
Don’t leave the scene!
This is very important: don’t leave the scene of the accident. Now, if you have to be rushed to hospital, that’s understandable, but if you’re fine, stay at the crash site until the authorities get there. Here’s why:
If you happen to leave the scene of the accident, you can be charged with a variety of offences, like
- Not stopping after an accident.
- Failing to help people in need
- Not exchanging details with others involved in the accident
There are even more serious charges that can be brought against you. For instance, if someone was seriously hurt or dead, you could be brought up on charges of an indictable offence, which could land you in the Magistrates court and up to 10 years in jail.
What’s next when you leave the scene?
Now that the nitty-gritty’s are dealt with at the site of the accident, what are your next steps? Well, first, we’d suggest lawyering up, especially if you or anyone else was injured in the accident. Here’s how we’d suggest you proceed:
Contact a lawyer!
Getting in touch with a lawyer as soon as you can after the accident is essential. The accident compensation law is complex, and your lawyer must do a lot of due diligence. So, the sooner they can get started, the better.
One of the main tasks your lawyer will do is start an investigation to gather evidence for your insurance claim. They’ll talk to witnesses and prepare your claim for the insurance companies. These tasks can be quite a hassle if you’re trying to do it all on your own, especially if you’re nursing an injury.
Timing your claim
Time your insurance claim well. Now, we know that this might sound contradictory to contacting your lawyer so fast, but giving them a heads-up will provide them with time to build you a strong case. Part of that building process is waiting to see the effects of the accident. Waiting will allow you to get a better idea of just how much the accident cost you and will help your lawyer claim a more accurate amount.
For example, let’s say you were in an accident and had to spend a few days in the hospital. You might have:
- Medical bills from the hospital stay
- Costs for medications
- Physical therapy sessions if you were injured
- Lost wages from time off work
On top of that, there’s the pain and suffering you went through, not just from the physical injuries but also from the stress and anxiety of the accident. All of these factors are important to consider when calculating your compensation.
Final Thoughts
Responding fast after an accident can significantly reduce your legal liability, especially if the evidence you gather is in your favour. However, getting legal advice after a car crash is also important; that’s why contacting a lawyer is so vital. They’ll know exactly how to navigate your car crash and the best way forward for claiming from insurance.