Dealing with a Traffic Accident
Traffic accidents occur when motor vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians are involved in a collision on a public road.
Responsibility For The Accident
Usually when traffic accidents occur it is clear which party is to blame. However, in some cases it is not as obvious and as a result the procedures that follow may be complicated. This includes dealing with insurance companies and emergency services such as the police and fire brigade. Generally speaking, if you drive into the back of a vehicle, you will be held responsible for the collision, even if the driver in front slammed on his/her breaks in response to another vehicle.
What To Do Next
When you are involved in an
- Driver’s name
- Driver’s address
- Driver’s telephone number
- Driver’s car registration number
If you do not give these details to the other party involved or police at the time of the accident you must do so at the police station within 24 hours. If someone has been injured in the accident, the responsible driver must provide a valid motor insurance certificate at the time of the accident. This has to be shown to the other party and to a police officer. The responsible driver must report the accident at a police station within 24 hours of the accident if they failed to produce this document at the scene of the accident. If the responsible driver has no proof of insurance at this time they have seven days to bring the insurance document to the nominated police station.
If no physical damage has been done to anyone, the party suffering damage can ask the driver for insurance details so that they can make a claim against them. In the same manner the person responsible for the accident must contact their own insurance company also to amend their insurance claim.
Getting Witnesses
Whenever an accident occurs it is essential to gather as much evidence as possible. This evidence should consist of impartial testimony from independent witnesses who saw exactly what happened. Witnesses should write down all the information they can remember and keep the account just in case there are court proceedings. The people involved in the accident should have their own documented account also. In cases where a witness refuses to give their account of the accident the police may ask them to provide a witness statement. As a result the witness may be called into court if necessary.
If you follow the simple procedures outlined above, dealing with a traffic accident should not be so difficult.
For more information on what to do in a traffic accident, you can refer to the direct.gov and AA websites.
