Having a road accident is a nightmare for any road user – it can be traumatizing when it isn’t your fault, and when it is your fault it comes with its own set of repercussions that you should know about. The least that can happen in a road accident is a few dents, scrapes, and scratches. However, the reality can be much, much worse than this depending on a number of factors.
Driving with due care and attention and sticking to the rules of the road will reduce your chances of being in a road accident, but even that doesn’t mean you’re completely safe – you have to be on your guard and aware of the road around you at all times. You should never get complacent when driving!
Below, we’re going to talk about what will happen and what you should do if you have a road accident that is your fault. Take a look:
Always Stop
It really doesn’t matter how minor you think the accident may be. Failing to stop is an offence under the road traffic act. Make sure you stop, and switch off your engine and turn on your hazards.
Check For Injuries
Make sure you then look for injuries in your vehicle and any other vehicles involved. You may need to call an ambulance straight away, and potentially other emergency services depending on the severity of the crash.
Exchange Information
You will need to exchange information with the other person. This will include names, phone numbers, insurance carrier, time and location of the accident, etc. Always give your real details, as you are just delaying the inevitable. They may also want to take pictures of the scene, and you should too, just in case. Getting the names of any other people at the scene can be helpful.
Report The Accident To The Police and Your Own Car Insurance
It can be frightening reporting the incident to the police, but it’s an important part of the procedure.
Get Legal Representation
If the accident was particularly bad or you feel you’re not being treated fairly, the Law Offices of Ivan M. Diamond can advise you. Fault isn’t always 100% one way or the other, and you don’t want to be completely to blame for an accident that was only partly your fault.
What Will Happen To Your Insurance?
If you were more than 50% at fault, your policy will likely increase at some point. Damages to your car will usually be covered by your insurance policy if you purchased collision coverage. See if accident forgiveness is available and you may be able to stop that insurance policy increase ahead of time, but not all companies offer it.
Having a road accident can be jarring, whoever you are and however you were involved in it. Doing the above is a must if you were at fault, and many of the steps are important even if you don’t believe you were at fault. Try to keep a clear head.