Car accidents happen every day, some serious and some not so serious. However, drivers should be actively trying to reduce the number of car accidents as a number of fatal injuries which arise from careless driving could have been easily avoided.
So if you have been involved in a car accident as a driver or passenger, what steps should you take?
Not injured? Remain calm
If you have been lucky enough not to be harmed from a car accident, there is a chance that somebody else is. Therefore, it is especially important to stay calm as the chances are you will have to take necessary measures to ensure everybody else is safe.
Establish if anybody else is injured. This includes the driver and passengers in the car you are in, individuals inside any other vehicles, as well as pedestrians. If anybody has been hurt you must call an ambulance straight away and do your best to keep everybody involved calm.
Call the police
Safety is the most important factor straight after an accident. So once an ambulance has been called then the police need to be informed. It is illegal not to report a car accident within 24 hours of it occurring. Licenses can be disqualified, penalty points can be gained and drivers can be fined if they do not notify the police.
Don’t take the blame
The worst mistake any driver can make when a car accident happens is taking the blame for it. Apologising or taking responsibility for the accident if it was not your fault could be used against you if claims are made by any driver involved. Even if you think the accident is your fault you should not admit this until it has been confirmed and established by others involved or witnesses.
Get details
Being involved in a car accident is a horrible experience and many are left very shocked immediately after. However, it is important various details are collected from other people involved. The full name and address of all people involved in the accident should be noted.
Other drivers involved in a collision need to provide their car insurance details and it is worth trying to determine if they are the fully registered owner of the vehicle they were driving. If they are not the registered owner then they should provide the name and address of that person. The police need to be informed of anybody who leaves the scene without providing details.
Other details worth collecting are the conditions at the time of the accident. For example, the road conditions could be slippery or there could have been poor lighting.
Claim
Once you have contacted the emergency services, recorded details from drivers, passengers and witnesses it is time you decide whether you are entitled to make a claim with Injury Lawyers 4u – specialists in car accident claims.
You should make a claim as quickly as you can as there is a limited time period from the time of the accident.