subject: Staying Calm During An Accident [print this page] The majority of drivers involved in accident (especially the serious accidents) often forget the few important things that need to be done immediately at the scene of the accident.
Quick action can spell the difference between life and death if someone is injured critically. It is understandable to panic and generally fail to keep our wits about us because of fear, apprehension, tension, anxiety and confusion.
A combination of these emotions affects our brain functioning and this tends to make us forget important facts and details about the accident. Try to remember details such as who was in the right place or lane, jot down the plate numbers of vehicles, the names and addresses of the driver of the other vehicle and call an ambulance if there appear to be some injuries, even if only minor in appearance. Head injuries are to be treated seriously, with a brain scan almost mandatory to detect cerebral damage.
Although a natural reaction, do not try to appear angry or agitated. Do not put blame on the other driver and wait for police assistance to arrive. This will help to prevent any heated arguments that might ensure and make things worse for you. Without being intrusive, ask about the name of the other driver's insurance company and be sure to note it down on paper plus other details like policy number, type of cover, amount of cover and the date of expiry. This will make things easier for you later on.
Stay calm so you can focus on what to do next. If you happen to have a camera in the car or a phone camera, then take pictures of the accident scene. The pictures will be extremely useful during police investigations, more so when there are fatalities. Insurance companies will also appreciate you having photos taken at the scene as these are incontrovertible evidence when filing a claim. Be polite and non-invasive when taking photographs.
If you suspect that the accident was deliberate contact the police and your insurers immediately. With the latest 'crash for cash' being highlighted in the media, showing that one man received money for deliberately causing low impact crashes, if you are at all suspicious don't hesitate to inform the authorities.
There are essentially three main features of an insurance policy and these are the conditions, the exclusions and the declarations. Make sure you are familiar with everything in it as this will ensure a good and valid claim should you meet an accident. Many people would not be bothered reading all the details and they just assume everything is fine once premiums are paid and paid on time.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is wise to read everything if possible, so there will be no unpleasant or shocking surprises concerning your car insurance policy. The best way to ask these few important and very relevant questions is when you get an insurance quote. The insurance agent or broker will be more than happy to explain some obscure points to you.
