Involved in a Car Accident? Here are Things to Do

It can happen in the blink of an eye; sometimes car crashes come when least expected. Whether it’s a fender bender, the crash can range from the simplest to the extreme; knowing how to react during and after the car accident may help you through that time. 

On the other hand, if you would like to find out whether a car has previously been involved in an accident and written off, this can be done using an online car checker service. The history report will include the date of the damage as well as the areas affected.

The more you prepare with your checklist the calmer you would be and may even help present yourself in the most efficient manner possible. This is what to do if you find yourself a car accident victim in the UK.

Immediate Steps

1. Halt the Vehicle: First, come to a standstill with your vehicle as early as possible. An offense in the UK law relates to leaving the scene.
2. Switch off the Engine: Make sure your engine is switched off to avoid any further dangers.
3. Activate Hazard Lights: This alerts other drivers that an incident has occurred and makes the scene safer.
4. Checking for Injuries: Look over yourself, inside your vehicle persons, and whoever is standing there for any injures. If there’s an injury casualty, dial up an ambulance without delay.
5. Remain Calm: It is natural to feel shocked after a collision, but try to remain as composed as possible.
6. Never Apologies: Never, at the time of the incident, admit blame or apologize for anything. Chances are, you may not know everything, and this can protect you in case the accident is not your mistake.

When to Call the Police:

• If another driver has left the accident scene without his details.
• If you believe the other person is uninsured or intoxicated drunk or driving aggressively.
• If you believe the collision was deliberate, or if you feel that there is fraud involved.

You should inform the police of the accident within 24 hours or expect to be charged, for example, with fines and points on your license or even a driving prohibition.

Exchange Information:

• Driver Information: Collect the names, addresses, and insurance information from the other driver(s). Provide them with the owner’s details if not the registered owner.
• Witness Details: Document the names and contact information for any witnesses.
• Vehicle Details: Note down the make of the vehicle, model, color, and number plate. It is also advisable to take pictures of the accident scene and the damage caused. Verify the accuracy of the number plate by running a reg check on the car.

Leave your contact details on a notice board or with a neighbor if the accident is found to be damaging private property, such as an undriven car.

Recording the Accident

• Photos: Photograph the accident scene as well as the relative positions of vehicles along with the damage and road conditions.
• Environmental Factors: Record time of day, weather conditions, road surface, etc. which might have influenced the accident
• Injuries: Note driver, passenger, and pedestrian injuries.
• Notify Your Insurer: Report your accident to the insurer immediately, ideally while at the site of the incident. Be prepared with the following:
• Policy number
• Details of the other drivers, including their names, addresses, and insurance numbers
• Vehicle registration numbers.