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‘Well, that’s inconvenient’ might not be the first phrase that comes into your mind if you are involved in an accident that palpably was not your fault. Apart from actual physical injuries you might suffer, you are likely to be angry, frustrated, shocked – in fact, a whole range of understandable emotions.

As you move beyond the feelings mentioned above, then the inconvenience of the situation will hit home. Your vehicle, after an accident for which you were in no way to blame, is likely to be out of service for a period of time as it sits in the repair shop. Perhaps there will be a wait for the delivery of replacement parts as well as for the time taken then to complete the work.

Four ways we help limit that inconvenience

Here at Not My Fault, we’re still surprised by the number of people who contact us and are unaware of one simple fact. Under Australian Law, after a ‘not my fault accident’ you are entitled to a replacement courtesy car. To make sure that you get what you are entitled to, here’s four simple ways that we help minimise the inconvenience you’re suffering:

1. It’s so easy to start making your claim. Simply keep a note of this number: 1800 699 034. Then, should you ever be the victim of a not your fault accident, we can get straight to work on your behalf.

2. You are entitled to a vehicle as close to your own as possible. This means you won’t have the added inconvenience of fitting your large family into a much smaller car!

3. We can arrange delivery of your courtesy replacement vehicle direct to the repair shop where you are leaving your damaged vehicle – so no extra travelling is required to collect it.

4. Similarly, we can then collect it from that repair shop when yours is roadworthy and ready for you to use again.

Problem solved!

We know we can’t help you feel less angry at the person whose carelessness or recklessness caused the accident. We appreciate that you’ll miss being in your own car. But our experienced Not My Fault team can quickly set to work to keep you on the road!

Our previous blog looked at problems caused by bad weather. Often, in Australia, the problem can be at the other end of the scale! It’s just as important to take sensible precautions to help avoid being caught in a not at fault car accident when the sun is blazing down. So here are five important precautions to take…

1. Make sensible use of the visor. This might even lead you to consider the purchase of a sun visor extender. These easily fit onto the existing visor of most vehicles, are easily adjustable, and can offer significant added protection against the harshest sun glare. Do make sure you fit them in line with the needs of Australian Design Rules and the instructions provided.

2. If you have any doubt about your vision, especially in bright sunshine, book an appointment for an eyesight test. While you do so, it would also be wise to talk to your optometrist about the possibility of using a pair of prescription sunglasses.

3. Clean your windshield before setting out on your journey. Also, take a moment to ensure your cleaning fluid tank is well-stocked. Dirt on a windscreen can increase any problems caused by sun glare. Using wipers when the fluid runs out can cause the sudden and dangerous smearing of whatever muck has hit the glass.

4. Take a moment for some journey planning, particularly for longer or irregular drives. Even changing your journey time by a few minutes can have an effect. Aim to avoid having to drive directly into a low rising or setting sun when dangerous glare is at its worst.

5. Think pace, space and place. Take your time in such driving conditions, while also adding a little more space to the vehicle in front. In terms of place, use any road markings to confirm your position on the highway.

An accident, but not my fault

In spite of your best efforts, you might still be a blameless accident victim. Under Australian Law, you are entitled to a replacement courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired. To find out more, or make such a claim, simply contact our experienced Not My Fault team…

Harsh weather conditions come with reduced visibility, traction, and steering ability. The time and space required to bring your vehicle to a stop are also increased. Here are five tips to help you avoid being at fault while driving in bad weather.

1. Keep your headlights or fog lights on

You need to ensure other motorists can see you. When driving in fog, fog lights can significantly improve your line of sight. Being dimmer and more yellow in colour, they can cut through fog better than bright white light. Make sure you also defrost your windows completely.

2. Increase your distance

Keep more distance between yourself and the car in front, especially if you’re driving behind a cargo vehicle. Water splashes from the car in front can affect your visibility even further, but it also gives you enough time to stop and avoid hitting the car ahead of you if necessary.

3. Slow down

Remember that it takes longer to brake on slippery roads. Slowing down helps you to stop the vehicle in enough time and maintain control over your car. Remember to accelerate and brake gently on bends too, as is this where you’re more likely to lose control.

4. Drive defensively

Keep your eyes on the road and two hands firmly on the wheel. Remain alert and continuously scan the whole area, especially near intersections. Do not assume that having right of way means that the intersection is clear. Try to stay in your lane and avoid unnecessary lane changes.

5. Stay put if you get stuck

It’s easy to get lost if you head out in a bad storm. If you’re lost, pull over and switch on your hazard lights – remain in your car if it’s safe to and wait for help to arrive. Open the downwind window slightly for ventilation and keep the exhaust pipe clear to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Not My Fault can get you an accident replacement car if a careless motorist hits your car while driving in bad weather. You don’t need to panic if it wasn’t your fault. Simply call us to schedule a replacement courtesy car so you are not left without a car while your vehicle is being repaired.

Here are three statements about the aftermath of an accident where you were not at fault. Do you think each is true or false…

1. I have to fund a replacement vehicle upfront and out of my own pocket
2. I will have to pay any excess waiver fee myself
3. I will need to collect this vehicle direct from the supplier

Three key questions – but one common answer

And that answer is – false. Many Australian motorists, after they have been involved in an accident that wasn’t their fault, don’t appreciate how this distressing and infuriating situation can be much less of a hassle than they might imagine.

Three simple truths about a Not My Fault accident

Referring to the trio of questions we asked right at the start of this blog, here are three things you’ll want to know…

# Under Australian law, if you are the victim of a not your fault accident, then you are entitled to an accident replacement car while your own vehicle is off the road. This fact is often not advertised simply because it’s up to the insurance company of the driver who was at fault to provide the funding for this.

# The Excess Waiver is included in the above arrangement

# Our ever-helpful Not My Fault accident team can arrange for your replacement courtesy car to be delivered to the repair shop where you are leaving your own vehicle. In fact, they can even arrange for it to be picked up again when you go to collect your own car after the repairs are complete!

Contact us as soon as possible

Here’s our number to keep with you: 1800699034. If you are ever unfortunate enough to be involved in a traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, and your vehicle is going to be out of commission for a period of time, then call us just as soon as you can. We’ll ask you for the information we need to allow us to start to process your application for a replacement vehicle.

We know that this can be a distressing, even frightening, time. But, at least, you know that professional help in keeping you mobile is quickly available at the end of a telephone line…

A sense of distress is often matched with the feeling of a need to take immediate action shortly after being involved in a traffic accident that wasn’t your fault. The problem can be summed up in this sentence…

‘How do I still get around and live my life?’

You might need a vehicle to get to your work, or to travel around your town or community while working. Kids might need to be taken to and from school each day, or to evening or weekend sporting and other activities. Elderly or infirm relatives may be relying on you for their mobility or to organise their vital shopping trips. Your parents, while still in reasonable health, might be a distance from you and look forward to your regular visits. With these, and other, transport needs weighing heavily, this is the point where many people make a crucial, and potentially costly, decision…

That major error: ‘I’d better just go and hire a car while mine is out of commission’

This can seem like the obvious solution, especially when public transport simply won’t deliver the level of mobility you need. You can optimistically expect to be able to reclaim all costs later. This might not be the case. One thing is for sure: you will be paying a substantial sum up front, particularly if your vehicle is going to be in the repair shop for a reasonable period of time.

The right move: contact our Not My Fault team

Many people don’t realise that there is no need to take the costly action described above. Under Australian law, after that ‘not my fault accident’, you are entitled to an appropriate replacement vehicle. The costs for this should be met by the insurance company of the person who was responsible for the accident – a fact that many such companies aren’t overly keen to promote.

If you have been the victim of an accident that wasn’t your fault, take a positive first step by calling us on 1800699034 or completing our Apply Online Now form. We can even arrange for your courtesy replacement car to be delivered to the repair shop where you are leaving your own vehicle.