Have you or someone you know just been in a car accident? No need to panic, but there are a few things you need to do after an incident of this nature, regardless of the severity of the car crash. So, what do you need to do after you’re involved in a car accident in Brisbane?
Well, you’ve come to the site because, in this article, we’re going to lay out some easy steps to follow if you have been in a car accident.
- Get to a safe place
As always, we need to put your safety first. So, as soon as you’re involved in a car accident, even if it’s a minor little fender bender, your first action (if you’re able to) should be to pull over to a calm and nondescript area where you’re less likely to cause a traffic jam. This will be safer for you, your passengers, and others on the road – the worst thing that can happen now is a secondary accident.
However, if the car is damaged and can’t be moved, then you need to exit the car and get to the side of the road so that you’ll be out of the danger zone. And if you’re able to, try to wave at oncoming traffic or leave the hazard lights on to alert others of the obstruction on the road so they don’t crash into your car.
- Assess everyone involved for injuries
Once you are out of the way of danger, the next step is to assess yourself and other passengers for injuries. Everything from a small bump on the head to open wounds need to be noted as a result of the accident. Check that all the passengers involved are conscious and prioritise anyone who needs immediate assistance. If you or someone else does need immediate assistance, skip to step four (call 000 for emergency services).
- Exchange details with the other driver/s
When everyone is in the clear and people who need immediate care have been seen to, then the next step is to call emergency services (000) while also assessing the damage on your vehicle. You should then exchange all necessary details with the other drivers, including vehicle information (number plate and model number) and license information. This is an important step because failing to record the at-fault vehicle’s registration number means you may be unable to claim for injuries later.
- Call 000 and report the accident
When it comes to accidents, no matter how small, there’s always a chance that you could sustain damage or an injury and only find out about it later on. So, while some may feel it’s unnecessary, calling emergency services is always advisable. Why? Not calling 000 could:
- Result in more serious side-effect in the future
- Make it more challenging to make a compensation claim due to there being no record on ambulance or police files
By calling 000, you’re ensuring there’s a record of the accident as well as proof of the time and location. This will also help determine who is at fault and if anyone needs medical assistance. It’s imperative that no one leaves the scene before the police arrive, and should the other party do so, this fact needs to be reported.
- Collect Your Own Evidence
We all have a way of capturing evidence of our own, thanks to our smartphones. You need to collect evidence if you have a car crash. Take pictures and videos of damage and injuries and anything else that seems important or peculiar (missing stop signs or faded lines). Having a dashcam is of a huge benefit because you can use the footage, and in most cases, the police may ask for a copy.
- Find a witness
After you’ve confirmed that emergency services are on the way while you wait, it’s essential to find a witness (someone who is near the scene) to validate your case to the police. The authorities will take a statement from the drivers involved as well as anyone else who saw the accident happen.
- Document the accident
No documentation usually means no compensation. Ensuring that you collect all the necessary evidence and documentation will help make claiming a lot easier because compensation cannot be granted without evidence that the accident was the fault of someone else unless you sustain significant injuries. The NIIS also has a no-fault scheme, but like we’ve said, you need all evidentiary information to argue your case.
This is also a good time to contact a lawyer. Car accident lawyers in Brisbane specifically deal with these situations and will be able to help you make the best of a bad situation. You should definitely contact a lawyer if:
- Significant injuries are caused to you or another party due to the accident
- Another motorist (pedestrian, car, truck, or cyclist) is involved in the accident
- The fault of the accident is not clearly established
- You disagree at all with the police report
- An underinsured or uninsured driver is involved in a car accident
- The insurance companies send mixed messages or provide confusing answers regarding liability concerns
- The collision occurred in a school zone
- The collision occurred in a construction or work zone
What documents do you need?
Some forms of documentation that you will need to provide your lawyer with include:
- Location
- Time of Accident
- Witness statements
- Police and medical reports
- Registration (Number Plate), Make and Model of the vehicles involved
- Pictures and videos
- Talk to your insurance provider
The next step, especially if your car has sustained any damage from the accident, is you will need to talk to your insurance provider about the car accident. This can be done either at the scene or at a later stage. Common insurances people have are Comprehensive Insurance or Third Party Insurance. If you’re at fault, Comprehensive Insurance should cover the damage incurred to all parties’ vehicles. Third-Party Only should cover the damage to the other person’s vehicle.
Important note: sometimes, insurance companies may declare that you are the at-fault driver, which, if it’s not fact, you need to speak to your lawyer to be sure so they can attest to false assertions.
- Obtain medical records
Last but definitely not least, get your medical records. You’ll be more likely to receive compensation with medical records on file. So, even if you’re feeling okay, never deny being checked by a medical professional, and follow up with a visit to your GP.