Whilst our roads may be getting safer, there are still an estimated 24,530 people killed or seriously injured on our roads every year. If you find yourself in an accident, there are some simple things you should do, whether it’s your fault or someone else’s.
Immediately after the accident
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Knowing what to do can help not only prevent further injuries or accidents, but if the accident isn’t your fault and you make a personal injury claim, you’ll have the evidence to help create a strong case.
Following an accident, you should stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so. You should turn off the engine and switch the hazard lights on. Check for any injuries and if you’re able to feel and move your limbs you should get out of the vehicle and to a point of safety.
Calling the police and the ambulance should be the next thing you do. If you have serious injuries, you should minimise movement to limit long-term damage.
We know how scary an accident can be but try and remain calm and if you have a phone, you can make notes on what happened and any injuries you have. All of which can help with the police and insurance report.
If you decide to make a claim, all the information you’ve gathered at the time of the accident can be used by your solicitor. Avoid apologising or admitting fault as this can be used against you.
Exchange details
Once everyone is safe, if there are any injuries or damage to the vehicles, you must share your name and address with the other parties involved. Swap insurance details and take down the names and contact details of any witnesses.
If the accident involves a foreign lorry, you should take a note of the numbers on both the lorry cab and the trailer. If it’s a commercial vehicle, you should get the name of the business too.
You can also take photos of the scene and your injuries on your phone. This will also be time stamped, which will help the police build a picture of what happened, as well as what the weather was like – which could have been part of the cause of the accident.
What to do if you’re in an accident that involves an uninsured driver?
The latest figures suggest that there are more uninsured drivers on our streets than ever before, with the north of England having the greatest number of uninsured drivers.
If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, you should call the police immediately. You should inform your insurance company straight away, regardless of whether you’re planning on making an insurance claim.
If you’ve been injured and want to make a personal injury claim in order to receive damages for the injuries you’ve sustained, you may be able to claim compensation from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) under their scheme that helps victims of uninsured or hit and run drivers.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
