Accident Help

Accident Help-useful tips

What to do in the event of an accident

Each year, thousands of accidents occur on our roads and in many cases people are unaware of what to do when it happens.  Car insurance choices has put together some simple tips to help you deal with an accident situation; this is just a guide so remember that YOU are responsible for YOUR actions in the event of an accident.  Remember that accidents can happen under different circumstances and your personal safety should always be your first priority.

All too often passengers and other road users are injured after an accident has happened because of events that follow.  NEVER take risks with your own safety as the consequences can be deadly!

Road Safety

If you are involved in an accident in a moving car you should immediately move your vehicle to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so.  Turn off the ignition and turn on your hazard lights if they are still working.  At all times stay calm and phone the police to advise them of your situation.  On motorways, the safest place to stop your vehicle is usually the hard shoulder, always try to position the vehicle as far into the verge as possible and exit the vehicle by the passenger-side doors as stepping out onto the road (nearest to the passing traffic) can be fatal.

Wherever possible, all vehicle occupants (the driver and passengers) should leave the vehicle and remain at a safe distance on the embankement or grass verge by the roadside.  Passengers with severe injuries should only be moved by members of the emergency services who are trained to assess whether it is safe to do so.  If you have safe access to your warning triangle, it can be positioned ahead of the accident to warn other road users but always be mindful of their safety and yours.

What to do next:

• If the accident involves another driver you will need to share certain information with one another in order to settle any Car insurance claim.  Full name, address, phone number, registration number (number plate) and insurance policy are all relevant details so be sure to exchange them.
• Make some notes about the other driver (including the details described above) along with any other relevant information about the accident while it is still fresh in your mind.
• Do not admit fault, nor make accusations of the other driver as this will not help to resolve your insurance claim and could cause tempers to rise.  Apportioning blame in the case of a vehicle accident is for others to decide and your insurance company will deal with this; that’s what you pay for after all.
• If possible take the names, addresses and contact numbers of any witnesses to the accident and check that they are happy for you to share them with your insurance company.
• Contact your Car Insurance company as soon as possible.  If the vehicle cannot be driven away due to the damage it has sustained, they will arrange to have the vehicle collected.  Otherwise you may be able to arrange collection where you have an active Breakdown cover agreement.
• If possible take photos of the damage to both vehicles and the surrounding area but NEVER wander back into the road to do so.

After the event

Hopefully your Car insurance company will be on the case and making the necessary arrangements to repair your vehicle, and to help you complete your onward journey where the option is included within your policy.  If not, and you have a seperate Breakdown cover agreement, your Breakdown cover provider may be able to help.

For further advice on road safety visit:  http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/

For further advice on Breakdown cover visit: http://www.best-breakdown.co.uk/ or visit our Breakdown cover help section.