No driver wants to be in a car accident but it is something that all drivers must be prepared for.
The chances are that even if the worst does happen, it is more likely to be a minor collision than one that causes serious injury, but the shock alone can be enough to leave you feeling bewildered and confused.
Although dealing with the consequences may well be the last thing you feel like doing, it is important to know how to handle post-accident procedures and what needs to be done in the immediate and not so immediate aftermath of a crash.
This article serves as a reminder of the steps to follow after an accident. Read on to find out more.
Try to remain as calm as possible and pull over safely if you are able to do so. Turn off your engine and turn on your hazard lights if other road users need to be informed of an obstruction.
Make sure that you and anyone else in your car is OK. Call the police and an ambulance on 999 if anyone is seriously hurt or the road is blocked.
Exchange names and contact details with everyone involved. Getting angry or trying to assign blame is unhelpful at this stage. It is best not to apologise or admit responsibility until you are fully aware of what happened.
If the other driver or drivers leave the scene without giving you their details, if you suspect that the other driver has no insurance or is under the influence of drink or drugs, or has caused the collision deliberately, call the police.
Share your name and address with everyone involved if the accident caused damage or injury – this is a legal requirement. You must also swap insurance information with any other driver(s) and take down details of anyone who witnessed the accident. If the accident occurred with a commercial vehicle, take down the details of the company.
You should also record the number plate, make, model and colour of the vehicles or, ideally, take photographs of them. Note the time and date of the crash, as well as the weather and driving conditions. Note and take photographs of any damage to the vehicles, as well as of the crash scene, including the position of the cars and any damage.
If no one else was involved in the collision – if you drove into a parked car, for example – you should still leave your details on a note where the owner can see it. Even if you are certain that no one was watching, it is still advised to do this, plus you may have been caught on CCTV.
You are legally required to stop at the scene of an accident as soon as it is safe to do so and to swap details with those involved. Once you have done so and if no one was injured and there are no allegations of driving offences, you do not need to report the collision.
However, you must report the collision if you are unable to exchange details, if anyone is injured or if you suspect that the other driver may have committed a driving offence. In this case, the collision should be reported online or in person at a police station within 24 hours.
In terms of insurance, phone your insurer as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide your policy number or identifying information, the registration numbers of the cars involved, the other driver’s name, address and phone number, and their insurance details.
Once you have reported the collision to your insurer, they will then assess the damage and determine coverage. This can take time depending on your insurer, but you can speed up the process by providing the necessary documentation promptly.
The time taken to get your car repaired will depend on the extent of the damage, availability of parts and whether there are any unforeseen complications.
Being involved in a car accident can be a frightening experience. If your car is leased through Leasys, personal and business customers alike will be able to count on assistance with vehicle recovery and insurance claims.
By taking advantage of Leasys’ optional maintenance packages, you can also ensure that your vehicle remains in a safe condition so that, if the worst does happen, you can be back on the road sooner rather than later.
