Car and motorcycle accidents are, unfortunately, bound to happen on the road. Whether it be due to weather conditions, inattentiveness or road rule confusion, it is important to be ready and know how to deal with this situation should it arise.
In this blog we illustrate how to manage the aftermath of a motor accident, particularly with relation to the pursuit of compensation.
1. Evaluate the situation
Immediately after an accident has occurred, it is highly important that you take a moment to assess what is happening around you. Although it might seem appropriate for you to move away from the accident site as quickly as possible, failing to consider the environment around you might result in further issues – this could include oncoming traffic or environmental damages that arose as a result of the accident.
It is best that you move to a safer position after properly examining your surroundings, making sure to do so as quickly as possible.
2. Check for injury
Once you are in a position of safety, make sure to examine yourself and others involved in the accident to see whether any injuries were sustained. If someone did sustain an injury, call an ambulance as quickly as possible. Although it might appear fine on a surface level, any injury sustained from a serious accident should be surveyed by a medical professional.
If you do not stop and assist in the event of injury or death, serious penalties can apply.
3. Call the police
With potential injuries tended to, it is recommended that the police are called. The policeare able toeffectively take control of the situation and manage the scene, which is particularly advantageous in the event of a large collision. The police are also trained to manage any parties involved in the accident who display aggressive traits.
4. Exchange details
It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident without providing sufficient information for other parties to contact you. Even if you are rattled, it’s vital that you stay and exchange necessary details.
Information that should be exchanged includes your name, your address, and your vehicle registration number. Additional information exchanged can include phone number, driver’s license number and insurance details.
If there are any witnesses to the crash who are still on the scene, it can be valuable to also attain their details in the event there is a dispute further down the line.
5. Use evidence
As cars will be removed from the scene(either towed or driven away),it is crucial to take pictures as evidence in case a dispute arises. Instead of it being your word against theirs, photographic evidence will allow for a strong case to be made in your favourif the crash was not your fault.
In the event that you were at fault, or mistakenly believe you are at fault, it is important to not admit liability. Disclosing this kind of information can only negatively impact a case in future, particularly if you were discovered to not be at fault.
