It is one of those moments dreaded by drivers each day: the car accident. Whether it’s rushing to work, driving in the rain, or changing lanes without looking – many of us will be involved in some sort of car infringement at one stage in our driving lives.
In fact, with the average Australian driving approximately 15,000km each year, the cost of vehicle accidents has risen to over $27 billion.
So what do you do if you find yourself in an accident situation – and it was not your fault?
Here is a checklist to follow to ensure all areas are covered and out of pocket costs are limited:
1. Know your insurance company and policy number (keep their card in your wallet when driving your vehicle) and have your driver’s license on you at all times when you set foot in your car. When panic sets in after an accident, the last thing you need to be doing is fumbling around for these essentials, only to remember they’re at home.
2. After checking all passengers for injuries, turn your car hazard lights on, stay at the scene of the accident and ring the police and ambulance (if required). Ensure the other party does not leave the scene at any point until the police have arrived and documented the accident.
3. Collect as much information from the other driver who caused the accident as you can. This includes their name, address, phone number, license number, insurance company and policy number. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle as well, making sure evidence is not disturbed until authorities have assessed the damage.
4. Keep witnesses at the scene until the police have met them and taken a statement. Be sure not to sign any document claiming or dismissing fault – leave this to the police.
Once you are permitted to leave the scene of the accident, get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible, and be sure to get a copy of the accident report from the police.
If the accident is not your fault, get in touch with our helpful team at notmyfault.com.au so we can arrange an accident replacement car for you while you await the repairs on your vehicle without any out of pocket expenses.
