Whether you are involved in a light bumper bashing or a massive pile-up on the highway, car accidents are an everyday occurrence on South African roads. But do you actually know what is expected of you and other drivers if involved in a crash? Follow our step-by-step guide should you be unfortunate enough to be involved in a fender bender.
Step 1: Stop
By law, if you are involved in an accident, you have to stop. You can be charged and held liable if you are involved in a crash and you fail to stop or help an injured person. Remember to switch on your hazards and pull out of the road if possible to ease traffic flow.
Step 2: Check for injuries
Take a moment and assess whether you are injured or if any of the involved parties have sustained injuries. If so, immediately contact emergency personnel and the police. If no injuries were sustained, the police do not need to be called to the scene.
Step 3: Assess damage
For insurance purposes, take photos of the scene and the inflicted damage. Take as many photos from as many different angles as possible. Photograph the other cars as well.
Step 4: Take note
The following information is required by the police and your insurer:
- Full names and surnames
- ID numbers
- Home, cell and business telephone numbers
- Physical addresses
- Email addresses
- Vehicles registration
- Description of vehicles (make, model and colour)
- Names and contact details of police officials, paramedics, tow truck drivers and witnesses
- Location where the accident took place: street name and suburb
- Time of the accident
- Road conditions and visibility
Remember to include in your police statement what lead up to and what happened after the accident. It is worth it to note if the other involved parties were under the influence of alcohol or if they were busy on their phones.
Step 5: Go to the police station
If nobody was hurt and there were no police on scene, go to the nearest police station to lay a statement. You will need to recount the events leading up to the accident and how the accident happened. The police will issue you with a case number that your insurer will need to start processing a claim.
Additional notes to keep in mind
- Don’t admit liability for the accident even if you may have caused it.
- When making your police statement, only give the essential details and don’t sign a written statement without first consulting your insurance company or attorney.
- Don’t allow your vehicle to be towed by any towing service other than your insurer’s authorised towing service.
- If you don’t have tow cover, ask the tow truck driver for a quote before your car is towed.
- Get the tow truck driver’s contact details and vehicle registration number.
- Ask the tow truck driver where your vehicle is being taken to.
Accidents are traumatic and can leave you dazed. Take a deep breath and try to remain calm throughout the ordeal.