We have accidents happening every day. How you get out of the situation matters a lot. Most people, after an accident, do not know what to do.
Of course, the first step involves ensuring that everyone is safe. But how do you report the same to the police and other parties? This piece will continue to provide a step by step guide on how to report a traffic incident. Read on for the steps.
Step 1: Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Immediately after an accident, you have to stop the vehicle, put on flashers and get out. You should do this if you are not severely injured. Check out other vehicle occupants and other parties to ensure that no one is injured or trapped in the vehicle. You should take care of those wounded and evacuate them to safety while calling for help. Dial 911 or any other emergency number and ask for help.
You can also ask for bystanders to help if there are no significant injuries. Make sure to administer first aid for those injured and ensure that everyone is out of the vehicles and safe. If your car is obstructing traffic, you can move it to open the road. Otherwise, it’s advisable to leave it at the accident scene.
Step 2: Call 000 or 911
Regardless of the extent of the impact, you have to call the police and direct them to the accident scene. It is a legal requirement even when it’s a light accident. The police will come to the location, get the report and clear the scene. At times, when the accident is minimal, the police might fail to visit the scene and ask you to report to the station. You have to take the mandate and report the accident as required. Reporting is important because any car accident needs to have a police report, which helps in filing for the compensation case. The insurance company is at fault, and the attorney will need the report too.
Step 3: Exchange Information and Document the Accident
After reporting the accident and getting a go-ahead from the police, it is vital to exchange information with the other driver. Some of the details you need to note are the other driver’s details, the vehicle registration details, their insurance company, the policy number, and the number of passengers each vehicle had during the accident. It is also necessary to document the accident scene. You have to identify the officers, witnesses, take pictures, write down names of victims, record narration and get the police report.
Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company
Some insurance companies will require you to report the accident, even when you aren’t at fault. They will need you to do this before contacting the at-fault insurance company to advise you on what to do. This situation is essential when making a claim and ensures it doesn’t go against your policy. Ensure you follow their advice promptly.
Any accident will leave anyone down and confused. However, to save your life and others, and increase your compensation chances, it’s essential to follow the above processes. You should also have a competent lawyer who will help execute some of the processes and guide you in filing for compensation.
