What to do if you have a road traffic accident
Things you need to Know
If you’re involved in a road traffic accident, then there are certain things you have to do.
Firstly though, take a deep breath, and try and relax. Do not panic. So take a few seconds to orientate yourself and make sure you are thinking clearly. If people are shouting at you, crying, or acting in a distressed manner, you must try and stay calm, and rational.
Next, check that you and everyone else is okay. If anyone needs medical help, or a fire has started, or the cars are in such a position as to prove a hazard to other drivers, then call the emergency services and ask for the appropriate help. Don’t forget, medical and safety issues take a priority. And do not take unnecessary risks. If you feel that you, or any other people involved in the accident are in danger, then get everyone to safety, quickly.
Right, next come some legal considerations. These need to be taken seriously, even if you think that the accident was not your fault. As to whether you need to report the accident (either to another car driver, or a property owner, or the police) depends on if anyone has been injured (other than you), or property (including the road and its surroundings, other than yours), has been damaged. So, basically, if anyone else, or anything else is involved, then you should leave your details with the affected party.
There is an exception to this rule and that’s if you feel intimidated by someone who might be demanding things of you, or accusing you of negligence. Once you feel threatened, quickly and politely tell the other party that you intend to report the matter at a police station and get there as soon as possible (see below for further advice on this point).
If no-one asks for your details, or seems interested, it is a good idea to report the incident to the police as soon as possible. Don’t forget, it’s best to do too much, than too little. The golden rule is to try and cover every angle; because in the cold hard light of day, you don’t want your actions misconstrued in any way.
Do Not Take the Blame
And another important thing; do not admit liability. Do not take the blame for anything, to anyone. And that includes the police. If you’re taken to the back of a police car to be asked to recount the events as they happened, try to do so without emotion, or exaggeration, and just give the clearest account you can. Do not make judgments about your own driving, or actions, or the actions of others. If you feel confused, ask the police for time to answer their questions.
Leaving the Scene
As already mentioned, if you feel you are being threatened by someone, you are quite within your rights to leave the scene of the accident and go to the police. But, be warned, that should you be stopped from the time you left the accident until arriving at the police station, it might be seen by some as fleeing the scene of an accident.
So, if you can, get away from the scene and then contact the police, saying what you intend to do. But try not allow any other party to misconstrue what you are doing.
Accident Guide
Remember, if you have an accident, don’t PANIC. And once you’ve done the basics, call us straight away for help and advice.
And here’s our easy to follow guide:
- remain calm;
- make sure everyone is safe;
- call the emergency services if necessary;
- spot any witnesses and ask for their details;
- make a note of the other people involved and get their details as well;
- if you can, take photographs of the accident scene, and the damage, on your mobile phone;
- make a rough sketch of the accident scene and where the vehicles ended up;
- do not take the blame and do not apportion blame;
- call us on 0800 xxx-xxxx and we can help you remember what has to be done, as well as arrange recovery for your vehicle, and also arrange a replacement car if necessary.
Possible Problems
There are a number of problems that you might be faced with when involved in an accident.
A Driver Refuses to Give Their Details
Don’t get involved in a heated discussion about this. Ask politely again for their details and point out if necessary that it is a legal requirement to do so. If they refuse again, tell them that you will have to go to a police station and report the accident there. Above all though, don’t put yourself in jeopardy. If in doubt about the other person, then walk away and from a safe distance, make a few notes.
Remember, most people will refuse to give information for a simple reason: they don’t want to be identified because they feel guilty about something. Maybe they are drunk, not insured, or disqualified. There are a large number of reasons why a person wouldn’t want to be identified.
So, step back and make a few notes. In fact, it’s worth doing this anyway, because people have been known to make a few things up.
Make a note of the car registration numbers involved and if the other cars stand out in any way (distinctive colour, or special trim for example). And, if possible, make a note of the other people involved, just in case they are not what they claim and the police need help in identifying them.
Evidence from Other Sources
Don’t just rely on the other people involved in the accident. It is always worth getting the details from people who might be in cars that have stopped to help and witnessed the accident, or pedestrians that have seen the accident. Get as many details as you can.
Have a look around you. Are there any CCTV cameras that might have recorded the accident. This might sound a bit fanciful, but if you are certain that you were not to blame and someone insists you are, then it could be a good tactic to ask the police, or the council, who owns particular cameras and how the film might be obtained.
Aggressive Behaviour from Others
We have mentioned this quite a few times throughout this section and it’s worth mentioning one more time. Unfortunately, we live in an aggressive culture and combine that fact with the high emotions caused by an accident, and you have a volatile mixture.
Remember, never provoke, or respond to aggressive behaviour. Walk away if things get bad tempered. And, of course, do not let your temper get the better of you either. Stay calm and relaxed as you can. If you lose your temper, then you will find it harder at a later date to remember what happened, get the information you will need at the scene of the accident and possibly end up being accused of violence yourself.
So, keep it under control.