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| Photo: aleksandarlittlewolf / Freepik |
While nobody wants to focus on the negatives of driving, it is extremely important that you know what to do if things take a turn for the worse on the roads. Having a good idea of how you should react following an incident will help to ensure that people are safe, that you can claim on your insurance, and that you receive the correct aftercare. So, here are a few steps to take following any road incident.
Stop Your Vehicle
The first step that you should take after experiencing any sort of accident while behind the wheel is to stop your vehicle. This applies if you hit a pedestrian, hit a pet or large animal, hit someone else’s property, or hit another vehicle. If you continue to drive and attempt to ignore the situation or avoid responsibility for irresponsible driving or any other form of accident, you will be found and you will be prosecuted. Whenever you take to the roads, you have to take responsibility for your actions or at least stop to determine who is at fault in any given road incident. So, as soon as it is safe to do so, stop. If possible, pull your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent causing disruption to other traffic.
Call for Medical Help
If you have hit someone, you should automatically seek medical help on their behalf, even if they seem okay. Sometimes shock can set in and cause reactions to be delayed, but anyone who has been hit by a vehicle should receive medical assistance, even if their injuries are not visible. If injuries are visible, practice basic first aid as advised by the operator until medical assistance arrives.
Collect Other Individuals’ Personal Details
If you have hit someone or something, you will have to collect the other party’s details for insurance purposes. These details should include their name, address, and insurance details. Establish whether the vehicle they are driving is their own and if not take details of the registered owner and keeper. It’s also a good idea to take note of their registration number, make, and model of the car, as well as noting the time of the incident. If the vehicle is a foreign lorry, make sure to take the details of both the lorry and its trailer, as they can be different from one another.
Contact Legal Help
The law is likely to get involved in any road accident. After all, not only will property have to be repaired or replaced, but if you are injured, you may need to seek compensation in order to cover your healthcare and trauma. Specialist lawyers will be able to determine who was at fault in a situation and ensure you are compensated for any wrong. Specialist lawyers have different areas of specialism, like school bus incidents, motorcycle incidents, or more.
Contact a Therapist or Counselor
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. So if you feel that you are struggling to come to terms with it or deal with the situation, it’s always best to contact a therapist or counselor. These professionals will be able to help you to deal with the after effects of the incident.
These are just a few steps to take, but it’s absolutely essential that you are aware of them if you do intend to drive a vehicle!
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