What to do if you’re involved in an accident

No matter how good a driver we might be, accidents on the road still occur. And they occur with alarming frequency.

In 2012 alone, there were 23,039 people who were seriously injured whilst driving on UK roads and a further 170,930 who were slightly injured. That means 531 people are injured on the roads each and every day – 22 people every hour.

So accidents occur all the time. But do you know how to act should you be involved in an accident yourself? Let’s take a look at the proper procedure you should follow.

1.       Stay calm

It can be a scary and confusing situation to find yourself in, but the important thing is to remain calm. Don’t lay blame or admit guilt for the accident until you understand exactly what happened as an admission of this sort could work against you later on.

2.       Stop the car and remain at the scene

Failing to stop the car after an accident is an offence under the Road Traffic Act. Turn off your car’s engine and turn on your hazard warning lights to alert other road users of your presence.

3.       Call the police/ambulance

If anyone has been injured, then contact the emergency services as quickly as you can. The police should also be called if the accident is blocking the road.

4.       Give your details

The details you should give include your name and address, your contact number, your vehicle’s registration number and your insurance details. Be sure to take the details of the other driver involved in the accident and establish whether they’re the registered driver of the vehicle. If they’re not the registered driver, then you’ll need the details of who is.

If you don’t have your details with you, you’ll have to report the accident at a police station as soon as you can (within 24 hours of the accident).