What To Do if You're In A Car Accident?

Nobody wants to get in a car accident but it is always best to be prepared and know what to do if such a case occurs.

What To Do?

First things first, take a deep breath and stay calm. You may be in shock so it is important to collect your thoughts and remain in control of the situation.

• Make sure you and your passengers are ok. Get out of the main roadway but stay at the scene. If possible put your hazard lights on to warn oncoming traffic. Get out of your car and stand on the grassy road verge well away from your vehicle. 
• The next step is to call the police. They will be able to provide you with an emergency number to report the accident and will help divert traffic until a car recovery service arrives to tow your car to a garage.
  You must report an accident to the police as if not you may be seen as failing to stop or failing to report which has a penalty fine of up to £5,000 and up to 10 driving penalty points.
• No matter who is at fault you must exchange vital information with any other drivers involved.
• Check for witnesses. If there are pedestrians or other drivers nearby ask them to stay until the police arrive so they can give a statement. Get their name and phone number too. 
• Do not admit fault and do not discuss the accident with anyone other than the police and your insurer. 
• When you have your emergency number it is important to contact your insurance company. The sooner they know, the sooner something can be done about it. Some policies may also have a reporting period where if not told in a certain period after an accident the insurance is void. 

What Information Do I Need To Collect?

The more information you can collect from the scene of the accident the better as this will help police and your insurance provider discover who is responsible. Even if you are injured and cannot collect information at the time, you may be able to return and get some details when you are better.

Things that should be noted include:

• Contact details such as names, addresses and phone numbers of others involved in the accident or witnesses.  
• Insurance details and license numbers of other parties. 
• The time and date of the accident.
• The other car’s license plate, make and model. 
• Weather conditions. What is visibility like?
• Name and number of any police officers in attendance.
• The damage to each vehicle. Photos taken on your phone are a great way of recording this. 
• Any injuries.
• Sketch the scene roughly so you can see where the cars are positioned.
• Estimated speed of the vehicles.

Be aware it is a criminal offence to refuse to give your details to any other drivers following an accident where there has been damage to property or an injury.

If you have been injured in an accident like this then you may be able to claim for damages if it wasn’t wholly or partially your fault. For car accident claims in Cardiff or surrounding areas look up Solicitor Nigel Jones!