Car accidents happen often, which is sad. Many sensible drivers end up suffering because of other drivers’ actions. What does the law say a driver has to do if they have been involved in an accident, what safety advice do they need to know?
Keeping on the right side of the law
There is a fine and 5 to 10 license penalty points drivers face. There is also the risk of disqualification and even spending six months behind bars. To avoid such a thing from happening, it is important to stop at the scene if:
You have been involved in an accident or if you have come across an accident that involves other people
You have injured a person or an animal, damaged someone’s else’s property, including walls, road signs, street lamps, bollards, fences, etc.
You will need to give your vehicle registration information, name, address, and ownership details to parties involved in the accident. if stopping is not possible, then you have to physically go to a police station and talk to a police constable within 24 hours of the accident happening. You need to report the accident and also providing the car insurance information within no more than 7 days.
There is one thing animal lovers will not like to hear, and that is the meaning of animal. It means a dog, pig, sheep, cow, mule, ass, or horse. This means a driver is not required to report anything after hitting a cat. This is also the reason why it considered normal for most people to keep on driving after they injure or kill a wild animal such as a rabbit, squirrel, or pheasant.
After the accident, it would be beneficial to seek advice from professionals from such firms as Georgia Auto Law for you to be guided on what to do with regard to your responsibilities and liability claims.
Staying safe and what to do with the car
Assuming you have not been seriously injured to a point you cannot move or knocked unconscious, you need to turn on the hazard warning light after being in an accident. Turn on the hazard by pressing the button with a red triangle button, normally found on the middle of the dashboard.
Switch off the car engine if possible, then move to a safer place. Help the others move too if they cannot do it on their own. Another thing you need to do when keeping safe is warning the other drivers by placing a warning triangle near the car or flashing a light. Make sure you wear something reflective. If you cannot do this because you don’t have a safety kit with you, then make sure you keep yourself and others safe as you wait for the emergency service to arrive. Make sure you phone them as soon as possible.
Give first aid to those who need it
Having a caring attitude by wanting to help other people is good, but you should be careful so don’t charge and end up making things worse. The first thing you need to do is step back and work out what happened. The next is to identify any hazards and risks.
It is not a good idea to use a car as a road black. When approaching a person, do it gently. You can check if they have injuries without moving them. When speaking to them, do it reassuringly and help them with breathing if they are having a hard time doing it.
Unless you have CPR training, do not attempt it. You can stem bleeding by pressing a clean material against the bleeding area. You can reduce shock by propping up their legs and put a blanket or coat over them so they can get warm. The temptation to be a hero is going to be there, but you should not help someone while calling the emergency services at the same time.
The insurance issues
It is not a must to claim against the car insurance after being involved in an accident, but there is a good chance you are going to do this because repairs are expensive and most people cannot pay it out of their own pocket. If you have been involved in a car accident, do not take the blame at the scene. The best thing to do is;
Taking videos and/or photos using your phone, but always be sensible and respectful, and also stay safe
Exchanging names, phone numbers, and addresses with the other drivers involved in the accident. you also need to get the contact details of witnesses.
Making a note or taking pictures of the vehicle registration plates of vehicles involved in the accident if the driver(s) refuses to provide you with the details
Contacting your insurance company as soon as possible, even if you don’t plan to claim. The insurance company will help by advising you on uninsured losses, what your options are if it wasn’t the fault, or when the other driver is not insured, how your car can get repaired, or if it is a write-off. You may need to enlist the help of an attorney, contact Joe Stephens for advice.
