Being a driver involved even in a minor car accident, can be jarring, the combination of the loud noise, broken glass, the tow truck, and flashing hazard lights can be overwhelming. Trying to focus on what you need to do can be a challenge. Hopefully, this article will help you create a mental list of key steps of what to do when you have a minor car accident.

 

 

Make sure you and everyone involved is safe

Ensuring personal safety is a critical consideration after a car accident, regardless of the severity of the collision. Even minor accidents can cause physical and emotional trauma, and it’s essential to prioritise the well-being of everyone involved.

Here are some key factors to consider when it comes to personal safety after a car accident:

  • Check for injuries: Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Even if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort right away, injuries such as whiplash, concussion, and internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent. If anyone is injured, call for medical assistance right away.
  • Move to a safe location: If possible, move the vehicles involved in the accident to a safe location, away from traffic. This can help prevent further accidents and injuries.
  • Use caution when exiting the vehicle: If you’re able to exit your vehicle safely, use caution when doing so. Look for any hazards, such as broken glass or debris, and be mindful of traffic.
  • Stay calm: It’s natural to feel upset, anxious, or disoriented after an accident, but staying calm can help you think more clearly and make better decisions.
  • Seek emotional support: In addition to physical injuries, car accidents can also cause emotional trauma. If you or anyone involved in the accident is experiencing distress or anxiety, seek emotional support from a mental health professional or support group.

Always remember, personal safety is the top priority after a car accident. Taking the time to assess for injuries, move to a safe location, and seek medical attention if needed can help prevent further harm and ensure that everyone involved receives the care they need.

 Call emergency services

It is important to call emergency services after a minor car accident because even seemingly minor accidents can result in serious injuries or medical emergencies. In some cases, car accidents can cause injuries that require immediate medical attention. Emergency medical services (EMS) can quickly respond to the scene, assess injuries, and provide necessary medical care. Emergency services can also help ensure the safety of everyone involved in the accident. They can secure the scene of the accident, prevent further accidents, and provide traffic control if necessary.

Exchange contact details with the other driver

It is important to exchange contact details with the other driver after a car accident because it helps establish important information that may be needed later for insurance and legal purposes. There are a few reasons why having each other’s details is crucial for moving past a car accident. 

Insurance

 If you need to file an insurance claim after the accident, you’ll need to provide the other driver’s contact information. This includes their name, address, phone number, and insurance details. Without this information, it may be challenging to file a claim and receive compensation for any damages or injuries.In some cases, you may need to communicate directly with the other driver’s insurance company to file a claim or negotiate a settlement. Having their contact information can make this process easier and more straightforward.

Legal Considerations 

Exchanging contact details can also help protect you legally. One of the most critical legal considerations after a car accident is determining who is liable for the damages or injuries. Exchanging contact details with the other driver can help establish liability, especially if there is a dispute. 

In the event you need to file a lawsuit related to the accident, you’ll also need to provide the other driver’s contact information. This includes their name, address, phone number, and insurance details. Without this information, it may be challenging to serve them with legal documents or move forward with the lawsuit.

Outside of these two key points, exchanging contact details can help ensure the safety of everyone involved in the accident. If there are any issues that need to be addressed later, such as repairs to a damaged vehicle or medical bills, having the other driver’s contact information makes it easier to reach them and resolve the issue. 

Take note of any damage

After making sure there are no injuries at the crash scene, before moving the vehicles from the crash site, make sure to document the accident scene, including other vehicles involved. This should help both the police and car insurance to understand what happened. Use the camera to take pictures from multiple angles, and you can even exchange details with the other drivers so you can share the pictures you took. Even if someone admits fault, it is always a good idea to have proof of what happened.

If any property was damaged, both public and private, this should also be documented in case the property owner needs to go through the claims process to be compensated.

If any of the damage or circumstance of the accident can not be conveyed with pictures, you may need to take a written note of them. This includes if one of the parties involved was excessively speeding, did not yield at a stop sign or traffic light or had some sort of observable maintenance issue that may have contributed to the accident, like worn tires. Also describe any road conditions that may have caused the accident – like a build-up of gravel, sand or water that lowered tire friction and increased braking distance.

Although rare, sometimes other road users that weren’t directly involved in the collision may have contributed to the circumstances that caused the accident – like trying to beat a red light on yellow or being parked in a location that caused a traffic bottleneck. Although not directly at fault their actions may have been a factor in the event. Take note of these, but keep in mind that the police and insurance companies involved may not take them into consideration.

 

Notify your Insurer

After contacting the police assistance line, you should also try to contact your insurance provider at this point. Make sure to mention who’s at fault if this has been established. Many insurance companies have roadside assistance so you can avoid an unnecessary towing fee. You may need to fill out a towing authorisation form or in some cases, you might need to pay the tow truck and be compensated by your insurer later on.

Your insurer may also ask you for details relating to damage incurred during the crash including third-party property that may affect the claims process. They may also ask for the approximate address where the incident occurred.

You might need your registration number, so your insurance adjuster can find your file, but you can easily find that on your policy.

Arrange towing and repair

After an accident, it’s essential to ensure that everyone involved is safe. If your car is severely damaged or undriveable, it’s not safe to continue driving it. Arranging for a tow truck can help get your car off the road and to a safe location. You may be shaken up and not in the right state of mind to handle arranging for transportation or making other necessary arrangements. Having your car towed can be a convenient option, as it takes care of transportation for you and ensures that your car is in the right hands for repairs. While a car accident is an inconvenience to all parties involved, failing to remove your vehicle from the scene safely and swiftly can inconvenience other drivers. 

Choosing a reputable accident repair company like Scope Accident Repairs, will make the entire process much easier. Scope Accident Repairs offers tow truck pick up and delivery of your car from your work or home, gives its customers a replacement car and even helps you with the processing of your insurance claim. 

We have been in the business for over three decades, helping people involved in a car accident, get their cars back on the road quickly. Our highly proficient and certified staff have brought back hundreds if not thousands of damaged cars back to their original state, using the latest accident repair tools and technics available.

We offer a comprehensive list of repair services including panel beating, painting and finishing. We are so confident in their repairs that they also offer a lifetime warranty on them.

Scope Accident Repairs even offers a convenient service that allows you to upload photos of your damage for a quote within one hour during business hours! If you have any questions or prefer to be on the safe side get in touch with Scope for more details.