Being involved in a road traffic collision can be traumatic and this guide is intended to help with some of the practical things you will need to do:
- Stop and stay at the scene for a reasonable time;
- Give your vehicle registration number, your name and address, and obtain the those of the other party;
- If you do not exchange those details at the scene, you must report the accident at a police station or to a police officer as soon as you can and in any case within 24 hours. in addition to the above it is advisable that you:
- Draw a quick sketch of the accident scene, location, road surface and damaged vehicles, noting skid or other marks and debris on the road
- Obtain the name and address of the other party(ies) and the registration numbers (don’t rely on them to give you the registration number of the vehicle).
- Jot down the colour and make of the vehicle and the number of passengers.
- If possible, take photographs of the scene.
- Obtain names and addresses of any witnesses.
- If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, call the Police immediately. A hit and run - or untraced driver - does not necessarily mean where the vehicle fails to stop. Even if the driver stops, assesses the circumstances and then disappears that too is categorised as an untraced driver.
- Do get medically examined – even if you feel fine. Make an appointment to see your GP or, go to casualty.
- Keep all receipts for expenses and date of appointments.
