subject: What Must A Driver Do, If Involved In A Traffic Accident ? [print this page] Due to high growth in population, proportionately traffic on the roads is also increasing. With this every single day hundreds of drivers are involved in traffic accidents. It is obvious that a driver involved in a traffic accident gets panic and may not be able to handle the situation.
Drivers who are involved in an accident must know their responsibility according to the legal act to confirm whether the driver actually caused the accident or not.
When a driver is involved in a traffic accident have to follow some legal rules and even for his safety.
* The first and foremost rule to follow during the traffic accident, it doesn't matter if you are crashed into, seems to be responsible for the accident, or perhaps even if you simply happen to witness damage of the traffic accident, then you have to deal to the situation immediately and certainly with proficiently for reducing the risk to other people.
* When a traffic accident occurs and if it is caused by you then you need to assess the situations incase you have no serious injuries. Drive your car to the side of the road and exit the vehicle and assess does anyone got injured other than yourself, is there any damage caused to any other vehicle or any animal been killed or injured by stopping your vehicle and staying at the accident spot. Otherwise it is an offence if a driver fails to stop if involved in a traffic accident and is given severe punishment.
* Though the accident took place in the traffic caused by you or by any other driver you can't leave the scene of an accident without identifying yourself and rendering assistance to the affected person on the road. By not following proper legal procedures can work against you when you come to claim on your insurance policy.
* If you cannot come out of the vehicle or move it to side, then driver and passengers should remain in the vehicle and see for everyone's safety until help arrives. Since it is an accident occurred in the traffic, everyone will be panic or anger, so do not make a bad situation
by discussing with anyone other than the police because it can be difficult for others to think clearly and accurately about what happened.
* It is mandatory for the driver whether or not involved in the traffic accident politely exchange some vital information such as name of the driver, address, phone number, make and model of the vehicle, insurance policy number, driver license number along with the exact location of the accident that took place and how it happened and don't tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was. No matter what happened, do not admit guilt at the scene until you speak with your insurance company.
Instead call the nearest police agency.
* If police does not arrive or called to the scene of a traffic accident, then you'll need to complete the "Driver's Report of Accident" form. Every driver involved in such an accident must file this form within 10 days if the accident resulted in the injury or death of any person.
* At the traffic accident location the drivers who are involved in an accident need to show the proof of insurance if requested, or else the driver's license and vehicle license plates will lead to suspension without insurance policy. Though are involved in a traffic accident, it is not mandatory to give insurance or license details to any other party, instead provide the details to the police if requested by them.
* If possible take photographs of the traffic accident with a cell phone camera to record the damage to all the vehicles, so that these photos will be helpful when you inform insurance company for claim.
You can even take the witnesses contact information who can probably assist you in the situation.
* Never make any decisions at the traffic accident scene, incase the accident is not major. Since the accident is minor the you as a driver and the other drivers may decide to handle the damages yourselves without the involvement of an insurance company which is not a good thing due to the reason that you may not know the extent of the damage to your vehicle, to the other drivers, or to yourself, and incase if the other driver may change his mind and report the accident to his insurance company where you could be blamed completely for the traffic accident and you could be dragged into a lawsuit.
* Always inform your insurance company if you are involved in an accident, regardless of fault though Insurance claims can be tricky and lengthy process. Still you need to report to the insurance company
within a reasonable time, even if you do not want to claim yourself. If you neglect to do so your insurance company has the right to refuse to cover your claims in future.
