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Whether it’s a prang or a serious road traffic collision, car accidents occur every day. In the hope that you’ll never need this information, here are some tips on what to do should it happen to you.

Whether it’s traffic, buildings, street furniture, people or animals involved, stop. Stay calm. This is not the time to scream and shout. If anybody involved leaves the scene, there are injuries, or the aftermath poses a risk to road users, phone the police and ambulance services immediately on 999 or 112. Switch off all engines. Alert oncoming traffic, and use the hazard lights. Don’t admit fault. Apportioning blame in a car accident is for others to decide, given the full set of circumstances. Telephone the emergency services on 999 or 112. It’s peculiar, but if you hit a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog you must report it. Reporting any other animal is at your discretion, but you must make sure it’s not injured or suffering. Use your mobile or a camera for photos. Take notes about what you remember seeing, plus registration numbers and weather conditions, and make sketches while your mind is fresh. If there are any good citizens left, they’ll provide their details as witnesses. You may have to ask, though. Take the details of the other people involved in the accident – it’s a legal requirement for all those involved to provide names and current addresses, along with insurance details. Having noted the positions of the vehicles and written down details from witnesses, clear the vehicles out of the way to minimise obstruction to traffic and risk of further collision.

If you do not exchange details at the scene, you must report your car accident at a police station or to a police constable as soon as you can, and in any case within 24 hours – in person. You'll need to produce your certificate of insurance. If you don't have it with you, take it to the police station you nominate when you report the event. Print off our Check list and call our free phone number, we can make sure all the necessary steps are completed and your car is recovered and replacement vehicle supplied ASAP

 

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