Whether you are busy planning your next road trip or returning to your normal commute after working remotely for the past year, road safety should always be a priority. Typically, this simply refers to being alert whenever you are behind the wheel, taking regular breaks and ensuring that you are paying attention to what is happening around you. However, there are times when accidents happen on the road – whether they be the result of bad weather or another driver. As a result, it’s important to know how to move forward from this situation with your health, safety and happiness in mind.

Don’t panic.

It’s only natural to feel a little shaky if you are involved in some kind of roadside accident, as this is our bodies natural response to fear. However, it is also important that you remain calm, as this will help you to keep yourself and others safe. Try not to loose your temper or admit responsibility for the accident until you are fully aware of what happened.

Immediately following the accident, move to a safe place if possible. You must stop the car and turn off the engine. You should switch your hazard lights on. Even if it is a minor collision you should make a note of the time and place of the accident. You should call the police and ambulance immediately if any one is hurt or the road is blocked. You should also call the police if the other driver leaves the scene without giving you his details or you think he may have been under the influence of drink or drugs. In any case the police should be informed of the accident within 24 hours.

Exchange motoring details

By law you must share your name and address with everyone. You should swap insurance details with the other driver and take down the details of any passengers or other witnesses to the accident. You should ask if they are the owner of the car. It may be a company car. A lorry may have the details on the side of the vehicle. You should note the registration number of any vehicle involved in the accident. You should note the time and place of the accident, the condition of the road, the weather and any damage caused. If you have a camera or phone take photos to back up your account of the accident. If no-one else was involved for example you caused the damage to a parked car leave a note where the owner can see it.

Check for injuries.

Sometimes, injuries caused by car accidents may not be immediately obvious – especially when it comes to conditions such as concussion. Therefore, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. This way, you can get all of the treatment you need right away. If you have sustained an injury, it is important that you then give yourself the appropriate time to heal. While it can be frustrating to take time out of your daily life, it’s much more important to focus on your health.

Check your car for damage.

Even in the case of a minor accident it’s likely that your car will have sustained some form of damage. As a result, it’s important that you carry out a thorough check of your vehicle after a car accident before considering driving again. While repairs can be costly (and often mean that your car will be off the road for a little while), it’s important that you resolve these issues sooner rather than later, as you don’t want to get behind the wheel for a car that isn’t roadworthy. Furthermore, solving issues right away can often save you money, as it doesn’t give the damage time to develop or worsen. Furthermore, it’s also important to remember that most insurance policies will be able to cover the cost of repairs on your behalf – meaning that you don’t have to worry too much about being out of pocket. 

Making a claim

You should phone your insurance company as soon as possible. You will need your policy number, details of the accident, registration numbers of the cars involved, drivers names addresses and insurance details.

Reach out to a lawyer.

There are various different costs associated with road accidents – which could include repair costs, alongside the price of any additional treatment you may need further down the line. Therefore, if you are involved in an accident wherein you are not culpable, you may be entitled to some form of compensation. As a result, you should reach out to a specialist car accident lawyer who can carry out the complicated legal process on your behalf. This gives you the best chance of getting the money you deserve, without having to deal with overly complicated paperwork.

(collaborative post)