What to Do If You're in a Road Accident
It’s a situation which we all hope we’ll never have to experience, however road accidents do happen, so it’s best to be prepared to help manage the situation as effectively as possible if it occurs.
You could be the most cautious driver in the world; however you cannot control the numerous external hazards which you face every time you head out on the roads. Therefore, it helps to remember the following important steps, should you find yourself in a road traffic incident.
What to do following a vehicle collision
1. Stop your car and turn the engine off straight away. It’s an offence under the Road Traffic Act to abandon the scene of an accident, so you must always stay until the issue been properly dealt with
2. Turn your hazard lights on to alert other road users to the situation
3. Check that everyone in the vehicle is free from injury. If anyone is seriously injured, you should call an ambulance immediately
4. Call the Police on 999 if it’s a major collision, or 101 if it’s a minor incident. The Police will be able to advise on the best course of action
5. If no one in your vehicle is seriously hurt, get out of the car to assess the situation
6. You need to remain as calm as possible, even if you’re upset that it wasn’t your fault. Letting emotions boil over into anger is only likely to make the situation worse
7. Take lots of photographs of the scene, any injuries sustained and any damage to your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved
8. Don’t admit responsibility or apologise for the accident, even if you think you may have been at fault. This could negate any accident compensation claims you file - even if you weren’t actually at fault
9. Record of the time and date of the incident, any driving conditions or suspicious circumstances which may have contributed to the accident, and the make, model and registration number of each vehicle involved
10. If there are any witnesses, take note of their names and contact details
11. Ask all drivers involved for their car insurance details and document these
12. If your car is too damaged to be driven away, call your recovery service for assistance
13. As soon are you can, call your insurance company, or alternatively contact Vertu Motors Accident Aftercare, who will arrange an estimate and repair of your vehicle at one of our approved body centres
If you decide to call the Accident Aftercare line, our team will liaise with your insurers and the body shop directly, and arrange a complimentary courtesy car, if the accident was not your fault. Our accidents and repairs service will be on hand for you when you need it, with top quality workmanship and an excellent level of customer care guaranteed.
Plus, did you know - if your vehicle is written off, many insurers will only pay the market value of the vehicle, not the original price you paid for it? Often, this won’t be enough to replace your current vehicle, or pay off any outstanding finance.
If you do find yourself in a car accident, following the steps outlined in this guide should ensure the aftermath is managed effectively, in order to get you back on the roads as soon as possible.