Being in an accident can be scary, and many are unsure of what they are supposed to do after. We outline our top tips on what to do if you are in an accident.
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Stop
No matter how minor the incident, you should always try and stop if it is safe to do so. If you fail to do so it can be a serious offence. This is because if you have caused damage in some way to either property or a person, and need to claim responsibility.
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Make yourself safe
Your safety, and the safety of others around you, should be your top priority. You can do this in a number of ways.
First of all, move away from your vehicle if it is not parked up safely and away from a busy road. One reason for this is because if it is obstructing other vehicles, there is a chance someone will not see it and drive into it.
Secondly use reflective equipment or lights to make sure you and your vehicle are seen by other drivers. This can be done with a high visibility jacket, or a high visibility triangle.
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Get assistance
It is important to get assistance if someone is hurt or the accident has put other drivers or people at risk. In serious cases it the emergency services that you need to contact first. They will help to advise you on the best way to make it safe until they arrive.
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Take down all the details you can
Getting all the details of the incident will help you when making a claim and recalling the accident easier at a later date if needed.
The most important details to get are those of the other drivers involved in the accident. This includes their name, address, vehicle details and the details of their insurer.
As well as this you need to get the details of the accident itself. For example where it happened, when it took place, who was involved, any cameras that are nearby, weather conditions and so on.
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Inform your insurer
It is very important to inform your insurer at the earliest convenience, however small or minor the incident may have been.
Make sure you tell them all the details you have taken down. This includes informing them who the other drivers are. This is important when putting through a claim and helping the insurer get the full picture of what happened.
We hope these suggestions help if you are ever in the unfortunate circumstance that you have been in an accident. If you have any further questions or want more advice on what you should do then contact your insurer. Or if you have any of your own suggestions then please let us know in the comments below!