Unfortunately, those little vehicular prangs and bumps are almost a certainty at some point in life. While a great motoring lawyer may be required to work through the legalities of a case, on the spot legal advice tends to be a bit thin on the ground immediately after an accident. There are, however some vital pointers that could make all the difference concerning insurance, legal issues and so on.
Very few people leave their house thinking “keys, wallet, phone…accident kit!” so the best advice is to be prepared. Keeping a few essentials about could prove a godsend, particularly if the motoring solicitors are called in and any legal issues arise.
Shock – the enemy of sensible thought everywhere. Even after the smallest of prangs a person can experience shock. This is the time when preparation and protocol come into play. Accurately recording an accident helps everyone – from the police and insurance companies to motoring lawyers.
Keeping an accessible accident kit needn’t be anything more than these essentials – pen, notebook, disposable camera (mobile phone cameras will often suffice) Of course these are things that are usually within arm’s reach of most people (handbags, etc.), but a designated kit could prove vital when judgment and sense aren’t necessarily at their best.
These are the six essential notes to take immediately after an accident:
1. The vehicles involved – colour, registration, model, etc.
2. The drivers – names, numbers and insurance details of everybody involved (possibly including witnesses if applicable)
3. The scene – location, time, weather and notable environmental issues that may have affected the accident e.g. extreme fog
4. Photo evidence – motoring solicitors, insurers and courts alike tend to view photographs as the most reliable witnesses
5. What happened? It’s vital to note this while it’s fresh in the memory
6. What do the other drivers say? It’s important to note this second or the memory could be clouded.
Note: Better still folks, it is still possible to avoid all the above-mentioned hassle by just driving safely and think safety.
