What to do after a road accident

1. Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers (landline and mobile) with other driver(s) as well as all insurance company details and registration numbers.
 

2. Find out who owns the vehicle  - sometimes it won’t be the person driving and you need to know who insures the vehicle.
 

3. Note down a quick description of the vehicle with information such as the make and model, colour, year and what damage has been caused. 
 

4. Make a note of the exact location where the accident took place and draw a quick diagram if possible. If you have a camera, even just a camera on your mobile phone then use it to take pictures of the cars and the location.
 

5. Avoid discussing blame or fault at the scene. It is especially important not to make any admissions of blame as this could cause difficulties with the insurers.
 

6. Seek out witnesses and take their names, phone numbers and addresses. 
 

7. Inform the police of the incident. This is not so they can attend the scene (which they don’t do if no one has been hurt) but it is still worthwhile reporting the event. 
 

8. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the collision. Every accident is required to be reported and if you fail to comply you will be in breach of your policy conditions. 

 

By following these initial steps you could save yourself a host of difficulties when you come to make an insurance claim or apply for road accident compensation. 

 

It is also a good idea to get checked over by a doctor in order to see if you suffered any whiplash in the accident. This is very common condition brought about by a car accident as it results from the sudden jerking of the neck. It can be a very painful experience and can last for several weeks, months or even years. It is not always possible to tell if you have it for some time after the accident so even if you feel fine, getting checked over is always the best solution. 

 

With thousands of people each year being diagnosed with whiplash, it is one of the most common types road accident compensation that is claimed for. Up to 80% of all road accident claims involve a claim for whiplash compensation. (Source: Cardiff Law School)

 

Looking for more information?

 

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