Occasionally during our driving lives we may end up being involved in an accident. This is nothing to panic about as accidents happen to many people at some point, sometimes where we are at fault, sometimes where someone else is at fault.
The important thing to remember when involved in a car accident is that you should check that both you and the other driver and any passengers you both may have are safe and have not come to harm. At the end of the day, cars are just possessions and should never take precedence over a human life.
If an accident has occurred on a busy road then try your best to clear the way for other motorists. This is usually done by pulling off the road or onto the hard shoulder. Put your hazard lights on to inform other motorists to slow down and move past you carefully.
After checking that all parties are receiving the attention they require, check to see that your car is not an imminent danger, smoke or flames coming from your car is a clear signal that there are problems, stay well back from the vehicle and call the emergency services.
Whether the accident is serious or minor, it’s important to exchange insurance details with the other driver, at this point you are recommended not to accept responsibility for the collision as this is the job of the insurers to judge who is at fault based on individual statements and evidence.
If vehicles are causing an obstruction or you have collided on the motorway then calling the police is necessary as they will be able to assist and direct traffic if neccessary.
Once you have exchanged details you will need to inform your insurer of the accident but first you need to remove your vehicle from the road and get it home. If your car starts and is in good enough shape to drive home (in some cases people have had to tape up their bumper in order to get home) then drive home, carefully. If the car is smashed up then you may need to call for a tow truck, normally your breakdown company or a local recovery truck.
When phoning your insurer you need to provide as much detail as possible, mainly so they can get a clear statement of what has happened but also so they won’t have to call you again in the following weeks whilst they are investigating your case.
When arranging for repairs it is best to get a few quotes. This can be done by visiting mechanics and getting them to see the damage or if you cannot drive it to them then describing what the damage is may suffice.
The money for the costs of repairs should be taken care of by yours and or the third party’s insurance coverage so you can get back on the road in no time.
Phil Wright writes on a variety of motoring and financial subjects such as: Car finance, bad credit car finance and welcome car finance
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