What to do if you are involved in a car accident

While nobody wants to think about an accident, how you react following an accident is crucial in order to avoid secondary accidents, additional injuries, crime and unnecessary costs.

December is one of the busiest times on South African roads and also the peak season for accidents. While we all hope for safe travels, being prepared for the unexpected can make stressful situations more manageable.

While nobody wants to think about an accident, how you react following an accident is crucial in order to avoid secondary accidents, additional injuries, crime and unnecessary costs.

Following an accident

If you are involved in an accident, follow these steps carefully

· Stop immediately. Switch your hazard lights on to warn approaching traffic. If you are able to do so, move the vehicle to the roadside, before exiting the vehicle.

· Get everyone out of the vehicle immediately and do not stand in the road or near moving traffic.

· After an accident it is important to get to safety and not stay in or near the vehicle. This is crucial because many highway collisions are followed by a secondary crash, oncoming cars may be going too fast to react and a stationary vehicle can be struck again while occupants are still inside or standing nearby.

· Check for injuries. Assess yourself, passengers and others involved. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance immediately. Only move injured people if they are in immediate danger or if you can potentially worsen injuries.

· If there are injuries, never leave the scene without police permission. If there are no injuries, you can leave the scene and report it later.

· Contact police. Report accidents involving injury or death within 24 hours. For minor accidents without injuries, you have until the next working day. If police come to the scene, record the officer’s name and the accident report reference number.

· Document everything. Photograph the scene from multiple angles, capturing vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, skid marks and any relevant road signs or landmarks. Take videos if possible, showing the scenes broader context.

· Exchange information. Collect full names, ID numbers, phone numbers, insurance details and licence information from other drivers. Record the make, model and colour of all vehicles.

· Witness details. Write down the names and contact numbers of anyone who saw the accident occur. Witness statements can be important in insurance claims.

· Sketch and statement. Draw a simple diagram showing vehicle positions, road layout, traffic direction and any fixed landmarks. Write your account of how the accident happened while details are still fresh as this will help you remember specifics later.

Calling the right emergency number

Calling the correct telephone numbers will reduce delay and ensure help reaches you faster. In South Africa that means dialing 112 from any cell phone. It is also a good idea to save the numbers of local emergency services for the provinces you are travelling through and to use region-based towing services as they have the fastest turnaround time.

When making a call be ready to communicate your location, including the name of the road or highway, the direction in which you are travelling and your approximate location on that road, which can be described as between two street corners if in the city or between two towns if travelling on the highway. For example, N3, South, between Warden and Harrismith. The more precise your directions the easier it will be for emergency services to find you. In the case of calling for an ambulance the dispatcher will also ask you if the person has a medical aid or not.

Assisting any injured persons

· Before assisting other people, make sure that you are not in harm’s way.

· Your next action should then be to call emergency services.

· Do not move an injured person unless there is a direct threat such as fire, a fuel leak or oncoming traffic. Incorrect movement of an injured person can worsen spinal or internal injuries.

· If trained, apply basic first aid, stop the bleeding and keep the person warm and calm.

Protect against crime at the accident scene

If you are concerned about roadside crime, including theft or intimidation, lock your car, keep your distance, remain in a visible but secure position and only engage with police, uniformed responders and verified officials.

Keep personal items concealed and be cautious of unknown individuals. South Africans are good hearted, but not everyone who arrives at an accident scene is there to help.

Notify your insurer

Get in touch with your insurance as soon as possible. They will advise on preferred emergency support, towing partners, garages and panel beaters.

When reporting an incident to your insurance, you will need to provide them with a variety of information including photos of the scene or damage, a police case number, insurance and personal details of other drivers as well as vehicle and licence plate details, a sketch of the accident scene and tow operator details.

Only use authorised towing services

Unsanctioned towing is a known national problem and can result in inflated costs and vehicles being withheld in storage facilities. Before agreeing to have your vehicle towed, ask for identification, confirm that the company is registered with your insurer, photograph their operator card and tow truck and request a written cost estimate before approving the tow.