What to do in a road traffic accident
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by: Claims for you
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If you are a driver and want to be prepared for all situations, it is best practice to keep several items in your glove compartment. These could include an emergency kit, pen and paper to take a give details, disposable camera to take a photo of any accidents and a card with your details if you have any medical conditions. It is also recommended that you keep cones and a warning triangle in your boot In case of an accident. Most importantly in the modern age all drivers should have a mobile phone on them.
If you do have an accident, you need to stop as if you drive off you can be charged with a “hit and run” even if you weren’t to blame.
You should move your vehicles to safety to prevent further accidents from happening, if you do not warn oncoming traffic about your accident you may liable for damages cause as a result. Turn on your hazard lights and place cones and warning signs in appropriate places to warn fellow drivers. If your car can’t be moved, you will need to contact a company or service to tow/move your vehicle. Next you should people to safety and check for injuries, anyone who can walk should be moved to a safe location nearby.
The next step is to call the emergency services and explain what has happened and give your location so that they can find you quickly. You will also need to mention if you require the fire service and or ambulance.
All accidents should be reported to the police and you should give anyone else involved in the accident your name, address and insurance details. Police may require you to give this information plus additional statements to sort the situation out, it is always a good idea to tell the truth and state facts but do not admit fault. You should never volunteer any information about who is to blame as you may think you were to blame, but there other driver was far more to blame. You should talk to your insurance company about the situation and anything you say to the police or the other driver can be used against you later. It is also not good practice to offer to pay for damages or sign anything unless you have talked to your insurance company.
The more details you can document about the situation the better. Make notes about the time and date of the accident, road and weather conditions, speed of vehicles involved. A diagram of the accident and positions of vehicles could help in sort out who was to blame and what happened.
If you do have a camera on you or in this modern age if your phone has a camera on it you should take photos to get visual evidence on what happened. Make sure you include positions of cards, broken parts, damage, licence plates, injuries to people involved etc.
Witness statements can also help to prove what happened, ask for contact details from these witness in case the other driver disputes your version of events.
After the accident you should call your insurance company and also send a written notice as soon as possible. You should inform them of time, place and circumstances of the accident. If you do not contact your insurance company within a reasonable time, they may ignore your claim.
Your insurance company will sort out the vehicle side of things but you may feel you want to make an accident claim and using a lawyer or accident claim company could mean you can get compensation for your accident.
For more information about No win no fee Injury claims please contact Claims for you.
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