Accidents can happen to anyone anywhere and it is unpredictable. Are you aware of the steps that should be taken after encountering a car accident?
Don’t let your emotions get in the way of rational decision making!
Read through the 8 important steps below to know more on how to handle the situation with ease.
Step 1: Stop your car and remain calm
Always remember that you should not drive away from the scene of an accident even though the accident is a minor one. Don’t panic and try to remain as calm as possible.
Step 2: Assess the severity of the scene
You should assess the severity of the accident and the third party who is involved in the accident too. Further accidents can be prevented by turning on the hazard light and moving your vehicle to the roadside (safer location).
Step 3: Check yourself for injuries
You should check for wounds and any bleedings. You should immediately call the ambulance if you need any medical assistance and perform some first aid to yourself (it is recommended that you keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your car). If you find any foreign objects stuck in your body, do not remove them without proper medical advice, as it might cause further damage
Step 4: Take pictures of the damage on all cars involved and the injuries to people
You should try to avoid the risks if the scene seems to be dangerous and risky. Also, do remember to take pictures of all the damages occurred on each of the vehicles involved in the accident (ensure the registration number of each vehicle is visible and clear). Be mindful of the time and the location of the accident.
Step 5: Exchange information with the third party involved
Do take note of the other vehicles and the third parties involved in the accident.
Following are the important conditions that should be taken into account:
Step 6: Lodge a police report
Bear in mind to make a police report within 24 hours of the car accident. The officer at the police station would then inquire further and would conclude who is responsible for the accident and will issue a summon. These summons would need to be paid within a month.
Step 7: Call your insurance company
You should call your insurer as soon as possible, explain the situation of the accident and wait for their advice on next steps. Most insurers would arrange to tow your car to the nearest and approved workshop.
Step 8: Insurance claims
The insurance company would send a loss adjuster to access the damage of your vehicle and find out who is responsible for the accident. They would then inform you on how much you are able to claim from the accident. This would result in either a claim from your insurance or the third party’s insurance.
There are 4 main types of insurance claims you are able to make:
- Own damage claim (claiming for own damage through your own insurance policy)
- Own damage knock for knock (claiming your own insurance for the damages to your vehicle without losing your No Claim Discount (NCD))
- Third party property damage claim (claiming against the other driver for the damages incurred to your vehicle)
- Third party bodily injury claim (claiming against the other driver for medical expenses)
Do check out the link attached here to know more on how to provide first aid to car victims.
Here is a quick recap on the steps:
Now you would have a clearer picture of the necessary measures that should be taken when you encounter a car accident. We hope this article was insightful and helpful to you as much as it was to us.
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