October 25 2023,
Today's vehicles are safer than ever before, with advanced collision avoidance and driver-assist technologies that lower the probability of accidents. Nonetheless, accidents can still happen, which is why it’s important to know what to do if you're involved in one.
1) Check for Injuries
Before taking any other action, make sure that you and any passengers in your vehicle are safe and uninjured and, if it's safe to do so, check on the occupants of any other vehicles involved in the incident. If necessary, call an ambulance as soon as you're out of any danger yourself.
2) Move Your Vehicle if Possible
If your vehicle is in a drivable condition and the way is clear, move it to the side of the road to prevent further collisions.
3) Call the Police
If you haven’t yet called the emergency services, call the police if any of the following conditions are met:
- Debris or obstructions on the road could be dangerous to other traffic.
- The combined damage to both cars is likely to cost more than $2,000 to repair.
- The other driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
4) Warn Other Drivers
Whether or not you can move your vehicle out of the way, it's important to alert other drivers to the incident by using your hazard lights and setting out any warning signs and cones you have available. Your safety should always be the priority, so be careful when taking this step, and don't put yourself at risk by walking into the open road.
5) Assess the Damage
Once you can safely move around your vehicle, inspect it for damage, taking notes and photographs of any damage and relevant items you find. You might also want to record the damage to the other vehicle, so that you have the details available for any future insurance dispute.
6) Take the Driver's Details
Even for minor collisions, it's important to take the details of the other driver before leaving the scene, including:
- Their name, contact details, and license number
- The make, model, year, and licence plate number of their vehicle
- Their insurance information
7) Take Witness Information
If the police are already in attendance, they'll take care of recording any witness details that they might need. If they aren’t, you may wish to ask any passersby for their contact information so they can later give accounts of what they saw.
8) Record the Incident Details
While the incident is fresh in your mind, make a note of exactly what happened from your perspective. The easiest way to do this is by recording a voice message on your smartphone, but a pen and paper will work just as well. In either case, make a note of:
- The date, time, and location of the collision
- The direction you were travelling in
- Your lane and the position of the other vehicle
- The weather and visibility conditions
- Any other details that might be relevant
Once you have all these details at hand, you can contact your insurer or roadside assistance to arrange a tow to your nearest Collision Centre or to take any other steps they recommend.
Find Expert Repair and Servicing at Dilawri Franchised Dealerships
Whether you need a bodywork repair after a collision or a scheduled service to keep your vehicle in perfect running order, your local Dilawri franchised dealership is here to help. To book an appointment, please reach out to your nearest Dilawri franchised dealership or Collision Centre today!
