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What to do if you’re in a car accident

Although there has been an 11% decrease in UK road accidents within the last five years, there were still nearly 200,000 reported cases during 2016. Many motorists think ‘it will never happen to me’ – but what if it does? Here are tips to prepare you
what to do in an accident
Warn other drivers with a red warning triangle if you have an accident and your car is stranded

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20 August 2018

FORTUNATELY, there has been an 11% decrease in UK road accidents.

That’s according to Department for Transport’s most recent report (Sep 2017).

So while UK accidents have thankfully declined over the last five years, there were still 181,384 reported cases during 2016.

When it comes to car accidents many may think, ‘it will never happen to me’. Unfortunately, that might not be the case and things can happen outside even the most experienced of motorists’ control.

So if you’re involved in an accident during your business motoring, what should you expect? It’s perhaps best to be prepared – because shock can be a natural factor in an accident

Be prepared

You never know when an accident might occur, so it’s important to be prepared. ave your insurance information, vehicle registration, and license available at all times while on the road. Also, it’s useful to write down the details of the accident (plus any other information) and to know how to contact a car accident attorney if you need to

If your company car has fleet insurance, make sure you know the details.

It’s worth having a torch with you in case the accident happens during the dark; a red warning triangle is also worth using if it looks like you’ll be stranded

Safety first

Even if you think it’s not serious and you’ve only caused a couple of scuffs or scratches, you must stop after an accident. Failing to do so is a punishable offence by the Road Traffic Act.

If your car’s drivable, find a safe place to pull over, switch off your engine and turn your hazard lights on to alert other road users.

If anyone has been hurt, contact the emergency services as soon as possible. You will possibly require the police too depending ontheseverity of the accident and whether the road has been blocked. Unless their injuries prevent it, remove passengers from the vehicle to a safe place.

You and your passengers should stand behind the crash barrier if the accident occurs on a motorway or A-road. Use reflective jackets, if you have them, so you are visible to other drivers and wait for the emergency services to arrive.

According to the Highway Code, you must leave any animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under control on the verge.

Collect all the necessary details

When you’re involved in a car accident you’re obligated to give your name and address to anyone else involved. You should also collect contact details from any drivers, passengers and witnesses.

Ask any drivers involved for their insurance details and establish whether they own the vehicle. If they don’t, find out who does and note their details.

If damage has been caused to third party property or a parked car you should leave a note with your contact details on a car’s windscreen if you’re unable to find the owner. If you don’t exchange details at the scene, you must report the incident to the police within 24 hours.

You’ll also need to make note of other details, which will help when it comes to sorting out the incident with insurers.

These include:

  • Time and date of the crash
  • Registration, colour, make and model of all vehicles involved
  • Photos for evidence – most mobiles will take good enough pictures to help you recall significant details.

Dealing with your insurer

It’s important to try to stay neutral and not accept liability or apologise if you’re unsure of who or what has caused the accident.

Of course, this can be difficult in a stressful situation when emotions are heightened, but believe it or not, even saying something as small as ‘sorry’, could work against you later on when claiming for insurance.

While you are not obligated to claim after an accident, you should report the accident to your insurer within the time stated in your policy. Otherwise, your insurer has the right to refuse to cover you in future.

Simon Ackers, the CEO of Warranty Direct, said:

“If you have GAP insurance, it’s worth noting some providers will ask you to call them before accepting any offer by your regular insurer. Make sure you inform the insurance provider of the accident to ensure the correct pay-out from the motor insurer.”

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Nick Sharpe

Nick Sharpe

Nick Sharpe is an automotive content writer for Business Motoring

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