Torque’s Top Tips – What to do in the event of a car accident
June 15, 2020
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With more vehicles back on the road and for longer periods following ISO, it’s a good time to freshen up on what to do in the event of a car accident.
Our number 1 priority at Torque Toyota is to ensure our family – and that includes you, our valued customers – are safe when they’re behind the wheel. Unfortunately, even the most careful drivers can find themselves involved in a road collision at some stage, so it pays to be aware of the critical steps you should take afterwards.
Here’s our step-by-step guide on what to do in the unfortunate event it happens to you.
- Assess the situation and seek medical and/or police assistance if necessary
If you’ve been in a collision, it is your legal obligation to stop your vehicle immediately and offer assistance to anyone who may have been injured. Immediately call 000 for an ambulance and/or police if needed.
- Remove any traffic hazards
If your vehicle or any glass or debris are disrupting the flow of traffic, move them off the road carefully. But only move your vehicle if it’s obstructing traffic – otherwise it should be left where it is until the police arrive.
- Exchange details with any other drivers involved
Exchange full name, address, phone number, vehicle registration number, vehicle description and insurance details with any other individuals involved in the accident. If another driver refuses to disclose these details, make a record of their vehicle registration number and car description so you can report the incident to police.
Never accept responsibility with other drivers involved as this could have insurance implications for you. You may be in a state of shock or not fully aware of the circumstances so it’s not up to you to determine who’s at fault –– that should be left up to the police and insurance companies.
- Call your insurer
Immediately put in a call to your vehicle insurer to advise them of the accident. They’ll guide you on next steps in terms of seeking quotes for any repairs to your car, and will liaise with the other drivers’ insurers towards a resolution.
Torque Toyota offers Motor Vehicle Insurance as well as Toyota Roadside Assist – reliable roadside assistance for your vehicle 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all around Australia, with unlimited call outs – and including towing, amongst other roadside support.
- Arrange for a tow truck if needed.
Check your vehicle over thoroughly before driving it away from the scene, and if you have any doubt about its roadworthiness, do not drive it – Call for a tow truck. If you need to make a decision on a panel beater to have your car towed to, ask your insurer for guidance on where it should go.
- Make a personal record of all of the details of the crash.
Chances are you’ll be a little shaken up following a collision, so it’s easy to forget important details that could be critical later. Make a record of the following information while it’s still fresh in your head:
- Date and time of the accident.
- Address of the accident, even if it’s just the nearest cross-streets.
- The direction both you and the other car/s were travelling in.
- A short description of exactly what happened leading up to the collision.
- Any notes about weather conditions and visibility.
- Names and contact numbers of any witnesses.
- Use your mobile phone to take photographs of the scene.
- File a police report within 24 hours.
Attend a police station within 24 hours following the incident to file an official report. No matter how minor the accident, it’s always handy to have an official record of the incident from your perspective – to cover you in case any other parties dispute what happened.
- Make a claim with your insurer and seek repair quotes.
Your insurance company will guide you on how to do this, to ensure any repairs to your vehicle are carried out in a timely fashion.
From all of us at Torque Toyota, we hope you continue to stay safe and healthy as restrictions lift across Australia enabling us to get back out on the road to explore again. Drop in or phone us today if we can ever assist with any of your Toyota vehicle needs!
