Having a car accident can be a very stressful and frantic experience.
And not knowing what to do after you’ve had a car accident can make the situation even worse.
But don’t panic, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you out in the unfortunate case you’re involved in a vehicle accident.
In this guide:
- Stop & Ensure The Safety Of All Parties
- Call 000
- Call For A Tow Truck
- Exchange Details
- Take Photos
- Get Witness Details
- Contact Your Insurance Company
1. Stop & Ensure The Safety Of All Parties
Your car is important, but if it’s a bad accident, and if you’re able to do so, the first point of action should be to ensure the safety of yourself and others involved in the crash.
- Stop your vehicle. If you’re involved in an accident, you are legally required to stop at the scene and you should give as much help as possible.
- If safe to do so, move your car out of harm’s way.
- Turn off your vehicle’s engine.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Make sure everyone is out of their vehicles and injury-free.
- Assess the situation for danger. Is there a fire? Is there any oncoming traffic? Is there any dangerous debris? Make sure all parties are removed from any danger.
- Apply first aid if needed.
If the situation is very serious and out of your control, quickly continue to step 2.
2. Call 000 If Necessary
Not all accidents have to be reported to the police. If it’s only a small incident where the vehicles have minor damage, and all parties are uninjured and cooperative, you can continue to step 3.
However, according to NSW law, you must report the accident to the police if:
- A person is seriously injured.
- A driver left the scene without giving their details to the other driver/s.
- A vehicle was towed away after the accident.
3. Call For A Tow Truck
It is always safe to get a tow truck especially if there has been a large impact. There could be suspension/mechanical damage that can make it unsafe to drive away from the scene. The majority of insurance companies will cover costs associated with towing your vehicle if required from the scene of a car accident.
Adams Smash Repairs provides towing services wherever you’re located on the Central Coast.
We provide 24-hour service, so simply call us at 02 4337 7000, and we will have a tow truck on the scene as soon as possible!
4. Exchange Details
When gathering details, gather as much information as you can. You’d rather have an excess of information and details to use for your claim than have too few details, so better safe than sorry.
Be sure to record the other driver/s following information:
- Home address (take a screenshot of their licence front and back to ensure you get the correct address)
- Phone number
- Vehicle registration number
- Insurance details
Other useful information you should also record:
- Date of the accident
- Time of the accident
- Location of the accident
5. Take Photos Of The Car Accident
Taking as many photos as possible is another great way to ensure you don’t miss any information. Photographic evidence of damages could be very useful with your insurance claim.
It’s also a good idea to take photos of the other driver’s licence and registration number, just in case the information you recorded was incorrect.
6. Get Witness Details
In cases where fault is disputed, it is essential to take account of witnesses on the scene if possible. This can be crucial in helping your insurance claim.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
The final step is to call your insurance company to lodge your car accident claim.
Using all the information you gathered, make your claim as detailed as possible. It’s also recommended to submit your claim as soon as possible, especially if the car has suffered severe damage and you suspect it is a write-off.
Adams Smash Repairs is a choice repairer for all major insurance companies including NRMA, IAG, Allianz and many more, meaning you can nominate us as your preferred repairer and take advantage of our quality workmanship, customer service and convenient location.
Simply lodge your claim, and supply us with your allocated claim number.
Contact Us For All Your Accident Repair Needs
If your vehicle has been damaged in a car accident and needs repair, contact Adams Smash Repairs. Our experienced team provides smash repairs on the Central Coast and is ready to help 24/7!
