James Moore
Things like driving on the shoulder just to skip rush hour traffic and high beams that nearly blind the heck out of other drivers are becoming harder to ignore. Obviously, phones are also a big issue. And should we also add that roads can’t support the sheer number of cars anymore, with some of them that aren’t even controlled by humans (Waymo is still testing cars in the UK)? So it’s far from surprising to end up in an accident, which can be a fender bender or a serious car wreck. This is why we put together a checklist of the most important things to do if you find yourself in an accident because it’s best to be prepared for the worst.
#1 Be Careful What You Say After the Accident
The other driver, or someone at the scene, might ask you how you feel or what happened, and your instinct might be to tell them that you’re fine, or that you’re sorry for the accident. Saying sorry is maybe the worst thing you could say. It’s like basically saying you’re guilty. Though it can seem like a kind gesture on the surface, this behaviour will come to haunt you, so tempting as it may be to be polite, don’t do it. If you struggle to keep your mouth shut, focus on your actions – call for help (if necessary), exchange contact details, and let the insurance company sort out the rest.
Another phrase you should think twice about using: “I’m fine” because you cannot know for sure if you’re really fine immediately after the accident when you’re flooded with adrenaline, which can mask serious injuries and symptoms. You’d better get checked by a healthcare specialist. Plus, if you tell anyone around you that you’re not hurt and later find out you have a ruptured diaphragm, they’ll think you’re a liar when you try to recover compensation. When the police arrive at the scene, chat with them.
#2 Don’t Get Talked Into Not Calling 999
Smart technology still isn’t good enough to catch uninsured drivers, who somehow manage to evade automatic license plate recognition. If the other party doesn’t want the police called to the accident and tries to convince you to just let it go, don’t agree to this because failing to report the incident can have dreadful consequences. Your car might have suffered damage due to the accident, so you need a copy of the police report to repair it. Also, if the other driver was at fault for the accident, the police will make sure to identify the cause and force them to take responsibility for what happened.
#3 Take Notes To Preserve Evidence
Even if physically you’re totally fine, there’s a feeling of unease you can’t shake off, no matter how hard you try. You keep imagining how much worse it could have been, and play those scenarios out even months or years after the event – this can cause feelings of shame, even if it wasn’t your fault. Reaching for a pen and paper is the very last thing on your mind, but you need evidence to support your side of the story. Experts agree that memories can’t be trusted, so make sure to jot down:
- Where the accident happened: Instead of “give or take a few miles”, get precise GPS coordinates – before, during, and after the accident. If the car crash was in an intersection, write down the names of street A and street B, and try to get footage pronto because many systems frequently overwrite recordings.
- What were the road, traffic, and weather conditions like: Anything you can remember can be helpful, so close your eyes and concentrate on the smells, sounds, sights, feelings, and thoughts associated with the event. If it was raining that day, there surely must have been message signs in place, which could show what happened.
- Whether there were any witnesses: Witnesses of the accident might be willing to testify if the case requires, so you should get their contact details while at the scene, and if possible, even ask them what they can remember.
#4 If you’re injured, seek medical care
The thing with accidents is that sometimes you notice you’re injured immediately, but other times you feel something is wrong hours or even days after the incident. If you suffer whiplash, concussions, soft tissue injuries, or back issues, you might feel little symptoms immediately after the accident, but the symptoms will get worse in the following days. This is why it’s best to get examined by a medical professional immediately after the accident; they can easily figure out if you’re dealing with any injuries. Make sure you keep copies of all medical documents, receipts, and appointment information because you might need them later to claim compensation for your injuries. In case the accident took place in Ireland and was caused by someone else, you can claim compensation for your physical and mental distress. It’s important to know that before personal injuries proceed through courts, they are assessed by the Injuries Resolution Board in Ireland, an independent statutory board that evaluates all these cases and proposes compensation based on the evidence you submit.
#5 Exchange Information With The Other Driver
It seems pretty obvious that you need to exchange contact details, but in the aftermath of the collision, you’re shaken up because your survival mechanism takes charge, so you can’t think clearly anymore. Get the name and address of the other driver. Even if neither of you is hurt, doing this can help speed up the claims process, which can take up to 18 months to settle (yikes!). Call them at the scene, so you know the number is theirs. Lots of insurers play dirty games and will try to trick you, so don’t talk to the claims adjuster, let alone give a recorded statement, because it’s a decision you’ll regret.
Let your insurance company know what happened, even if you don’t intend to make a claim. They’ll eventually find out (2-3 years later), so it’s best to be honest, especially if you have no record of a previous incident, because the insurance company has to pay if someone puts a fake claim in against you. If it’s a minor incident, you’ll need a mechanic because it’s still a collision, and who knows what damage could be hiding in your car.
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