Don Madge Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 A friend was recently involved in a RTA (Road Traffic Accident) he admitted he had not got a clue on what to do at the scene. No matter how good your driving is, accidents on the road do happen. This is a guide to what you should do after an accident, which can help minimise the additional stress of sorting everything out following the incident. Accidents happen. Try to stay calm and don't lose your temper. Don't admit blame at the scene of the accident or offer any form of settlement. Stop at the scene if you think your accident has caused injuries or damage to vehicles or property. It is an offence not to stop. If your car hits a dog or farm animal, you are required by law to report the incident to the police. If you hit a cat or wild animal, there is no obligation to report it, but you must ensure that the animal is not injured or suffering. Ensure the scene is safe. Switch off all engines, turn on hazard warning lights and alert oncoming traffic about the accident. Call 999 (or 112 from a mobile) immediately if anyone involved in the accident is injured, the collision has caused a hazardous situation, or someone leaves the scene without exchanging details. If you're unsure about whether you should call the police - make the call. The police don't usually attend road traffic accidents where there are no injuries but it is still worth reporting the incident. Always keep an accident pack in the car. This should consist of a notebook, pen and disposable camera or your mobile phone if this takes pictures. In the event of an accident, make a sketch at the scene. Remember to note as many details as you can such as street names, vehicle locations and direction of travel, skid marks, collision points and vehicle damage. Use the camera to take photos showing the road layout, position of vehicles and their damage (take care near busy roads). Get the names, addresses and vehicle registrations of any witnesses (including passengers in the other vehicles involved). Take down the registration number, make, model and colour of all other vehicles involved in the accident. All drivers involved must exchange details by law. Ask them for their name, address, telephone numbers (don't just get a mobile number but a home number too) and insurance details. You must also provide this information about yourself. Record any other details you think may be important e.g. Use of mobile phone, if you think the driver of the other vehicle has been drinking, weather conditions etc. You should notify your insurance company immediately of any collision you are involved in, regardless of whether or not a claim is to be made or whose fault it was. Give them all the details, notes, photographs etc. I hope you never have to refer to this info but it's better to be prepared. Safe travelling Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empress Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 Thanks, Don, Excellent advice. I am glad to say we did much of what you suggested when a truck driver smashed up our wing mirror. Though not too easy as we were in deepest France at the time. We were very fortunate as a local garage tidied up the dangling remains. It was the off side mirror, not good news when abroad, here again luck was with us as we were reasonably close to a large Rapido dealer who ordered and replaced the mirror within two days. Expensive but less than it would have been in England and how long would we have had to wait for a replacement?! Hope you travel safely too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted October 8, 2006 Author Share Posted October 8, 2006 It now seems we have "Road Traffic Collisions" not Accidents to be politically correct 8-) 8-) 8-) Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docted Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 Don as always concise and to the point. The information exchange, the inforamtion must also be given to anyone whose property eg garden wall may have been damaged. Docted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan3956 Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 RTC`S Well covered From my experience an independant witness is worth his/her weight in gold. It helps to make the decision whether to procecute or not or the alterntive to send them on a driver improvement scheme which cost them money and they have to pass it !. Its not a soft option. If you think the other driver is under the influence then call the police Again if you consider the driver to have driven dangerously Ie fail to conform to a stop sign or traffic lights failed to give way the list is endless and there is a INDEPENDANT witness to substantiate this wrong doing call them. They are obliged to investigate the allegation. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Chapman Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Great thread Don. May I just add an additional comment. Our mobile phone is set up to transmit all photos directly to our home PC e-mail system. The reason for this is to take photos of the accident AND all the peole involved/witnesses. If someone grabs the phone or camera then at least we have the photos available off site. This stems from a friend who had just this happen and later found that the other driver, who stole the camera then drove off, had stolen the vehicle also. The police never traced the thief with all that means to insurance, cost, loss of use etc. Regards, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enodreven Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Hi, Just one other point if you are in Germany and I beleive a lot of other european countries you need to put out your warning triangle immediatly if your vehicles are blocking part or all of the road, I think in Spain you need 2 of them, also wear your floresant jackets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 BUMP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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