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Vital Action to Take at the Scene of a Crash


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Being involved in a car incident, whether it is minor or major, can be an extremely traumatic experience for all parties involved. However, simply knowing the action to take at the scene of a crash can prepare you for an emergency and can help to settle an accident quickly and efficiently. To help you learn the correct actions to take we’ve put together a simple breakdown what to do and when.

Assess the scene

Before you can consider anything else, you must assess the scene for injuries and other potential dangers. Check yourself first, and then look about determining others’ safety. Be sure to call for an ambulance immediately if required.

Move to Safety and Prevent a Build-Up of Traffic

Once you’re sure that everyone is safe and that the vehicle itself isn’t a potential hazard, move it to the side of the road to ensure that the traffic can continue to flow smoothly. A build-up of traffic will only enhance the dangers and will create unnecessary obstacles for the emergency services to reach you.

Depending on the Severity, Call for Emergency Assistance

If you’re involved in a major incident you will need to call for emergency assistance. If this hasn’t already been done in the stage above, call for medical assistance as soon as you determine it is required. Other incidents may require police or fire brigade assistance.

Provide the Correct Information

You will need to provide either the police or the owner of the vehicle involved with the correct information of which they can contact you and pass on to their insurers. If you do speak with a police officer, be sure to take down their name and badge number.

Gather Important Information from all Parties

You will also need to gather information from the third party, including their name, number plate, address and the name of the insurance company. This is vital information required to file a claim.

Take Photographs

The more evidence you can get at the scene of a crash, the better. The best way to provide insurers with useful information is take pictures of the scene, the damage and the surroundings, as well as the positioning of all cars involved. This can be done once the vehicles have been moved to safety, but may be worth capturing beforehand simply for investigation needs.

Search for a Witness

Before you leave the scene, be sure to spot anyone who might have seen the accident and what happened. Ask them if they would be willing to provide their contact details and act as a witness to ensure you have sufficient evidence to make a claim.

Report the accident to your insurance company

Often, once everyone has been brought to safety, the first thing on the agenda is to report the accident and get any damage fixed. The sooner you report the incident to your insurance company the sooner they can get to work on getting your car repaired and securing a rental car if necessary. Your insurance company will also guide you on how to document any medical treatment relevant to the car crash.

The longer you’re on the road for, the more likely you are to be involved in a road incident. Being prepared for the dangers that driving can bring will help ensure a more safe and efficient process, even at the worst of times.