Firstly, make sure that you and your passengers are safe and that it is safe to leave the vehicle. However annoyed you might be, don’t lose your temper with the other driver; the reason we have insurance is because accidents happen.
Exchange details with the other driver. Make sure that you obtain the registration, make and model, including a brief description of the type and colour of the car and any obvious damage caused by the accident. Do not rely on the other person to provide the details – check that the registration number is correct. Ask for the name of the driver and who the owner of the car is. Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers and details of insurance companies. It is a legal requirement for a driver to provide this information after an accident.
If you have a camera phone, it is a good idea to take pictures of the damage at the scene as well as how the cars looked after the accident if they have not been moved. It is always useful to make a diagram of the area and the position of the cars when the accident happened as soon as possible after the crash.
Try and take the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any independent witnesses who saw what happened. This will help later if there is any dispute about what happened. People travelling with you will not usually be treated as an independent witnesses.
It is useful to report all accidents to the police, even if they do not attend the scene of the crash. This will make sure that the accident has been recorded and the police will provide any further advice about what to do at the scene.
Seek medical attention for any injuries as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as whiplash, can take days before the full symptoms show. Make a record of any injuries and the treatment that you are given.
If you have suffered an injury in a road traffic accident you should contact a solicitor to ensure that the claim is investigated quickly and you receive all of the compensation that you are entitled to. Your solicitor can also help to get you help with treatment for your injuries to make sure you recover as quickly as possible.
To help with your claim, you should keep a record of any out of pocket expenses caused by the accident together with any receipts. This could include taxi fares, replacing damaged clothes or possessions, prescription charges etc. It is also a good idea to keep a diary of how your injuries affect you, how much pain you have suffered, and how long it takes to fully recover. Personal injury claims can take months or even years to settle, and it will help if you have kept a good record after the accident.
Taking these steps will help to ensure that, with the help of a professional injury lawyer, you’ll receive the compensation that you’re entitled to and your claim runs as smoothly as possible.
