Whether you’re involved in a bumper bashing or a more serious crash, whether you’re a driver, passenger, or even an onlooker, a road accident is an upsetting situation in which to find yourself. What do you do as soon as you are over the initial shock?
Here’s our guide to what to do after an accident:
1. Stop your car and stay at the scene.
First, stop your vehicle and, in the interest of road safety, switch on your hazards to let other drivers know. Get out of your car if it is safe to do so and check if anyone has been hurt. If possible, move any cars that are disrupting traffic – but make sure you document their position on the road first, either by photographing the scene or marking the road with chalk or spray paint (if on hand). If you can, take pictures of the damage to all the vehicles involved in the incident. If a vehicle cannot be moved, then you need to call a towing service. As a valued Drive Zim Member/Non-Member, you can do so through our emergency call centre. If commuters or pedestrians have been injured, or if property has been damaged, it is road law to remain at the scene of an accident until the police have arrived.
2. Help anyone who has been hurt.
While you can only be criminally charged for causing the accident and any resulting injuries, as a bystander, you have a moral obligation to help someone who has been hurt in a road accident. Help includes contacting an ambulance or rescue unit, even if the injuries do not appear to be serious. It’s critical that you don’t move the injured party and that you do not administer first aid unless you are qualified to do so.
3. Get the details.
Record the information of everyone involved in the road accident, including personal details, vehicle registration numbers, tow-truck information and insurance details. Take note of all road names, landmarks, intersections and robots, as you will have to draw a sketch and write a description of the accident on your police report and for insurance purposes. Ensure that you get the following information from the other party:
- Full names (first and middle names, initials and surnames)
- ID number
- Car registration number
- Address
- Cellphone number and other telephone contact details (work and home)
- Insurance company details
- Make, model and colour of the other vehicle
- Date and time of the crash
- Details of any eyewitnesses.
4. Report the accident.
Inform the police within 24 hours of the road accident. If the police come to the scene, don’t move anything until they say you may. Ensure that you get an Accident Report (IR or RRB) number, as this is needed for any insurance claim or third-party claim you may lodge.
Preparing for a breakdown
However much you prepare, there’s always a chance that your car might leave you stranded. So, it’s important to have a Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance membership and be fully prepared for a breakdown. With so many different policies on the market, knowing which best suits your needs can be difficult. Of course, nobody can make this decision for you, but there are several factors you should consider when choosing a breakdown membership. Drive Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced emergency roadside assistance, towing and recovery service with seven levels of membership packages to suit all your needs and pockets. Call us or WhatsApp at 0780 579 261/0718 084 297 / 0736 523 424 Office 0242 339718 Email: info@drivezim.co.zw. https://www.facebook.com/105600827733427