Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a very stressful and emotional experience. At the time of the accident, it’s easy for those involved to become overwhelmed and forget what is required of them. Regardless of who was at fault, everyone is entitled to ensure their safety and legal rights are protected.
To help navigate this experience, the Optimum team has compiled an overview of what to do at the scene of a motor vehicle accident if you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
Stop and assess the situation
Immediately after the accident, take a moment to breathe, remind yourself to remain calm, and assess yourself for injuries. If you or any other parties are trapped or are injured, call 000 for an ambulance and assist if it is safe.
If your car is operational, move it out of the way of ongoing traffic, making sure your hazard lights are on. And if it is safe to do so, clear the road of any debris.
Exchange contact details
If you are involved in a road accident, you must stop and give your name and address to the other parties involved. In Queensland, leaving the scene without providing details is a crime and is indictable by a fine of $2,611 or 1-year imprisonment.
Below is an outline of the information both parties will need to provide:
- Date and time of the accident
- Driver’s name and licence number
- Driver’s phone number
- Driver’s address
- Location
- Driver’s insurer name
- Car make, model and registration number
- The name and address of the owner of the vehicle (if different from the driver)
Collect photo and witness evidence
Capturing photos, videos, and eyewitness accounts of the accident is very important when putting forward both an insurance claim and a motor vehicle compensation claim.
If possible, collect photos of the entire scene, the impact on your car from various angles, identifying location marks (traffic lights, intersection location) and photos of the damaged private and public property.
If there were eyewitnesses of the accident, ask them for their name and contact details and ensure you note their specific involvement. These could be passengers, pedestrians, or drivers of nearby vehicles.
Contact the police
Depending on the accident’s severity, you may or may not call the police. If anyone is seriously injured, call the emergency services immediately. The following are the other scenarios where you will be required to call the police: if the accident has resulted in traffic or road hazards; any driver appears to be affected by drugs or alcohol; or if anyone has failed to exchange contact details.
If none of the above is relevant, both parties are able to leave the crash site once everyone has exchanged details. In Queensland, you are not required to report the crash to the police.
If you are navigating a motor vehicle compensation claim and need help, our team of expert lawyers can support you during this process. To seek guidance and further information, contact the Optimum team today.