The Scene of an Accident

You may not want to think about the worst that could happen when driving, but how many of us actually know what to do if we are involved in an accident? Hopefully we’ll never need to find out but just in the worst does happen, car hire price comparison site Carrentals.co.uk offers some tips on what to do after an accident:

Check for Injuries

After an accident your first priority should be to check yourself, any passengers and any other drivers for signs of injury – your health is much more important than any damage to vehicles that may have occurred.

Call for Help

If anyone is injured check the ABC of first aid - airway, breathing, and circulation. Make sure someone calls for an ambulance and keep any casualties warm and immobilised.

Report the Accident

No matter how minor you may think the accident is, always report it to the police straight away so that you have an official record of the incident.

Move Cars

Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. If they cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened until help arrives. Turn on your hazard warning lights and put out cones or warning triangles if possible.

Keep Records

Make a note of any specific damage to all cars involved in an accident, along with the names, addresses and license numbers of everyone involved. It is also useful to take down contact details of any witnesses who could help if there is any disagreement concerning blame. It is also a good idea to take photographs so that you can prove the extent of the damage to your and any other vehicles in case of a dispute.

Produce documents

If any injury is caused to another person as a result of the accident, then you are legally required to produce your insurance certificate at the scene of the accident if anyone asks to see it. If you fail to do this at the scene then you must report to a police station or to a police officer with 24 hours with your insurance certificate with you.

Don’t Apologise

Try not to apologise or admit blame, even if you think it was your fault and, likewise, don’t try to make the other person admit they were wrong. It is up to the police and the insurance companies to decide who was at fault.

Hitting an Animal

If your car hits a dog or a farm animal you are required by law to report the incident to the police. If you hit a cat or wild animal, there is no obligation to report it, but you must ensure that the animal is not injured and suffering.

Insurance Claim

Before calling your insurance company, think carefully about whether or not you want to file a claim. If the cost of your repairs is just a little more than your excess, and you were at fault in the accident, it may be more economical to pay for your own repairs, rather than lose your no claims discount.

Disclaimer: These tips are not exhaustive and are for information only. Carrentals.co.uk can not be held responsible for any losses incurred as a result of acting on any information contained herein.