If you are involved in an accident, it can be difficult to think clearly and quickly. A checklist of important things to do after an accident may help with any insurance claim you need to lodge.
1. Safety! If you are unable to move your car off the road or into a safe place, put your hazard lights on and make sure you stand off the road away from traffic.
2. Check yourself, your passengers and the people in any of the other cars for injuries. If you are experiencing any symptoms such as headaches, confusion, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, difficulty walking, pins and needles or numbness in your hands, feet arms or legs, or pain anywhere in your body you should seek medical attention immediately. These can be symptoms of concussion, spinal injury or other serious injury and proper medical treatment is critical to your recovery.
Do not try and move anyone who has been injured in the accident.
3. Call an ambulance (000 if necessary) to attend to anyone that might be injured.
4. You must stop at the scene and exchange details. The details that you should exchange with the other driver include:-
• Name
• Address
• Vehicle details – registration, make, model, colour, owner details
• Note the date, time and place of the accident
You do not have to provide your driver licence, telephone or insurance details to the other parties. You do however have to provide these details to the police if they request them.
5. If anyone is injured or the damage to your vehicle is more than $2,500 or if you suspect that any of the other drivers are guilty of a criminal offence (for example driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), you should call the police immediately.
If you can, take photos of the damage to the cars and the position of the cars after the accident.
