Trilogy part 2: What to do when … you are in a car accident

Being in a car accident is a traumatic and very frustrating experience. In part 2 of the News’ What to do when … trilogy, we look at ways to simplify this often unnecessary experience.

In case you missed part 1, click here.

Immediately after an accident/ while on scene:

It is not fun to think about, but all the preparation might not help as road accidents sometimes happen out of the blue. And with adrenaline rushing through your veins, you might do more damage on a scene leading to road rage or inappropriate behaviour.

Arrive Alive recently posted the legislation applicable to a road accident and the obligations of drivers immediately after the accident happens:

1. Stop the vehicle immediately.

2. Check the extent of your own injuries before getting out of the vehicle.

3. If you are not injured, assist other people on scene. To find out more about CPR and how to take care of a patient, take a look at this informative video here.

4. Call an ambulance immediately. A stable or ‘fine’ person can easily collapse and die if moved.

5. If no one is injured, ascertain the extent of the damage to the vehicles.

6. Take as many pictures of the damage to both vehicles, skid marks, and scene details as possible. This is evidence.

7. Do not argue, fight with or touch the other party. If the other party has even the slightest evidence of assault you might lose a court case against them and end up paying for the repairs to both vehicles.

8. Get the other person’s details – this includes name, surname, contact details, registration number, and name of insurer. Take a picture of his/ her driver’s licence and licence disc. Give the same details about yourself to the other party. Make sure you get your driver’s licence back afterwards.

9. Get the contact details of witnesses as well.

10. If your car needs to be towed, make sure the tow truck service you use is trustworthy. A lot of people have been victims of car theft after an alleged tow truck driver has towed their cars into the abyss of stolen car syndicates.

PS: Policemen are not deployed to accident scenes if a person has not died. Community Policing Forum members are however very helpful on scene and regulate traffic, call paramedics and assist those in need.

Here is an article about irregularities in attending to scenes.

Read here: Is die regte stappe gevolg?

On scene safety tips

While still on scene, make sure you stay safe at all times. Remember that once you get out of your vehicle, you increase your chances of being hit by another vehicle.

Here are some tips:

1. As soon as you are able to, put a cone, an emergency triangle, or any other visible beacon about 10 meters from the accident to show oncoming traffic that something is going on.

2. Look both ways when walking around on scene.

3. If you are done with taking pictures of the scene, and no one was extensively hurt, move the vehicles out of the way so traffic can proceed as normal.

Caution: Never light up a cigarette while on an accident scene. Fuel, leaked gases and oil can light up in a second.

For a broader view of accident scene safety, visit https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Accident-Scene-Safety.

Be sure to visit the News’ tomorrow for part 3 of this trilogy.

Read more:

Part 1

[WATCH] Push hard, push fast

You could save a life

Celebrate with safety in mind