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After a Not My Fault accident, it can be hard for the family and friends of the victim to understand what’s happened. However, it’s important that you take the time to reach out to your nearest and dearest and explain how this experience has affected you. Here are some tips on how to go about this in the best possible way:

1. Explain that the accident wasn’t your fault

Pointing this out can put loved ones’ fears to rest, particularly if you’re a newly qualified or elderly driver. The earlier you engage legal help and a replacement vehicle will also help you to understand your options and allay any fears of your family. It will help them worry about you less when you’re back on the road, leaving you to get on with your normal life without being smothered by well-meaning questions.

2. Ask them to be patient

It can take a while for you to feel like yourself again after an accident, so asking your friends and family to bear with you while you recover is a good move. They might not realise the length of time it could take for you to be completely OK again, so this can prevent them from becoming frustrated.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

If you’re lacking confidence in getting back on the road, it’s OK to ask those around you for help. Whether that’s car-sharing or having them in the car beside you while you drive, your loved ones are usually more than happy to give you that helping hand.

4. Be honest about your emotions

If you pretend the accident didn’t affect you, those around you might struggle to understand why you seem so stressed or distant. Even if you do need to take some time for yourself or seek the guidance of a professional, it’s best you explain this to those around you even if you don’t feel like talking about how you feel.

At Not My Fault, we’re committed to supporting you after an accident. Although we can’t offer you the emotional support of your friends and family, it can reassure them to know that you’ve sought the help of an expert team to get you back on the road. Please contact us for more information about our courtesy car hire options.

Being involved in the trauma of an accident that was not your fault can have a wide range of different impacts on the lives of both yourself and those close to you. Of course, these might be physical, hopefully neither serious nor long-term, in terms of injury or distress. While coping with these, to whatever extent they affect you, there will also be other concerns to deal with, including financial ones, which we’ll focus on shortly.

The transport concerns

Naturally, if your vehicle is going to be out of commission for a period of time, then you might start to wonder about getting to where you need to be. This can range from going to and from work, taking kids to school or their other activities, and transporting others, such as parents or relatives, who rely on you. Having to turn to others for help, or relying on taxis or public transport, can cause a lot of unwanted disruption.

The impact on your finances

All of the above is likely to cost money you won’t have budgeted for. In terms of being mobile, you might decide quickly to take the plunge and hire a car, absorbing (at least until hopefully later being able to claim them back) the substantial costs involved in such an action. Our Not My Fault team have one simple word of advice if you are considering this last course of action: DON’T. It can take a long time, if ever, before such costs can be reclaimed.

Providing a key solution for a ‘not my fault’ accident

What many people don’t realise is that, under Australian Law, you are entitled to a replacement car after an accident that was not your fault. This is something some insurance companies don’t promote; but the one representing the person causing the accident will have the responsibility for covering the cost of replacement vehicles. You are even entitled to an appropriate replacement vehicle – one of the same style, or close, to the car you were driving at the time of the accident. This means, in terms of the transport you use, that you should be able to carry on functioning much as before while your car is in the repair shop.

A single action to take

So, if you have been involved in a ‘not my fault’ accident, quickly contact our helpful and experienced team. You can reach us by calling 1800699034 or complete our simple online claim form. Either way, we’re ready to set to work on your behalf to keep you on the road after such an unfortunate event.

What are the most common causes of serious road accidents in Australia today? Here, we take a look at 3 of the top contributing factors and offer practical advice in not my fault accident scenarios.

1. Speeding

Speed is a major cause of serious car crashes. The faster a vehicle goes, the more difficult it is to control, increasing the likelihood of a crash. When a vehicle driven at high-speed crashes, it can cause a lot of damage – especially to other cars.

2. Alcohol consumption

Drink driving is another leading cause of car crashes in Australia, especially in rural areas. Alcohol, and certain other drugs, impair driver concentration, reaction times and ability to make sensible decisions.

If you’re in an accident where you suspect the other driver is intoxicated, contact the police immediately, if they haven’t already turned up. Make sure you receive a Police Event Number to help with your car insurance claim.

3. Driver distraction

Using a smartphone while driving is another main cause of road accidents. Taking your eyes off the road for even a microsecond can be very dangerous. It may result in a rear-end accident or failure to give way – or worse.

Since 2012, it has been illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving in Australia. Yet many drivers continue to break this law. With the recent introduction in NSW of high tech cameras that can detect mobile phone use in cars, drivers who continue to play with their phones while driving, face a very high risk of getting caught.

Your right to drive accident replacement vehicle

If you are involved in a vehicle crash caused by another driver, it might be a “not my fault car accident”. You will probably be able to claim the costs of renting an accident replacement car against the other party’s insurance. If you can clearly establish a “reasonable need” for a replacement courtesy car, then you have a particularly strong case in the eyes of the law.

At Not My Fault, we provide a simple, convenient way to make sure you receive what you’re entitled to, without leaving you out of pocket. After a not at fault car accident, you can use our fast online service to ensure our team gets you an appropriate vehicle ASAP.

After the shock of a car accident, it can be difficult to think about all the things that you might be entitled too, especially if you aren’t at fault. For example, you might have the right to an accident replacement vehicle.

However, not all cars are created equal. Therefore, you shouldn’t just accept any old vehicle that is offered to you. It pays to know that you have the right to choose your accident replacement vehicle. Sometimes, companies just want to save money and take advantage of the fact that you are without a car and desperate to have one.

It is important you don’t fall into one of these common traps. For example:

– Don’t accept a small car, even though you currently own a large car or SUV. This will significantly impact the lifestyle you are used to. Consider the storage space and capabilities of the vehicle on offer.
– Don’t be held liable for rental costs. Some providers may try and pass on the rental costs to you if they can’t recover the costs from the at fault party, but remember this isn’t your responsibility.
– Don’t get stung by high excess. On the off chance you have an accident in the hire car, you don’t want to be responsible for an exorbitant out-of-pocket expense.
– Don’t pay a bond as a security on the vehicle. This also isn’t your responsibility and you shouldn’t be expected to have a large amount frozen on your credit card.
– Never pay for a taxi to pick up or drop off the rental car, and don’t accept that you will have to wait for a car. This can be common after hours or on weekends.

If you are in the unfortunate situation where you have been involved in an accident, you should expect a car similar to your own, with zero excess, zero rental bond, and maximum convenience. No one plans to be in a not my fault accident, but most of us will be at some point in our lives. It is important to be informed and prepared so you can ensure you are well looked after if it turns out to be your unlucky day.