What do I do if I’m in a car accident?

A car crash can leave you in a state of shock, even if it’s just a parking bump in a shopping centre.

Alternatively, it may be an altogether more serious collision or impact… You may even be hurt yourself, yet be the only person fit enough to take charge of the situation. What do you do?

First things first, stop the vehicle safely at the side of the road if possible, and turn off the car’s ignition. This will ensure that the electric fuel pump won’t keep discharging fuel on a hot exhaust or other potential flash point. If appropriate, use hazard lights to warn other drivers.

Now, immediately check whether anyone has been injured. You’ll find that the simple act of asking “Is everyone all right?” in a calm, measured tone, will reduce any panic.

Assess the situation and, if safe, step out of the car and check that everyone else can exit the vehicle too. Has someone been injured? Do they have full mobility or are they trapped in the car?

Stay with any injured person. If necessary, ask someone with a mobile phone to ring 000 and ask for ‘ambulance’ while you apply first aid. If your car has on-board telematics, an emergency services operator may contact you directly following the deployment of airbags.

The emergency services can usually track you down using the GPS data from your mobile, but that’s not always the case, so be prepared to offer an address or nearby intersection, or any other information that may help them locate you.

Unless imminent danger (fire, the potential of another vehicle impact, etc) means differently, do not move any badly injured passenger. They may have suffered broken bones or internal bleeding, which could be exacerbated by moving them.

If the injured person is at further risk (eg: from downed electrical wires, the car on fire, or flooding because the car is nose down in a creek or river) move them (and yourself) from the immediate source of danger if safe to do so, and preferably after checking with emergency services. This is likely the lesser of two evils.

If there is another vehicle involved in the crash, check with the other driver and passengers for any injuries and respond as you would for your fellow passengers – call for emergency services and apply first aid.

Stay calm and rational at all times – even if the other driver is clearly at fault, or is badgering you to admit liability (fault).

If the vehicle or vehicles involved in the crash are still driveable safely, relocate them somewhere close by that will allow traffic flow to resume, provided of course that no one is injured and unable to exit the vehicle.

If a car cannot be started safely (fluid leaks, battery smashed, for instance), you may need to push it off the road. Ask for help – and only push if it is safe to do so.

If the vehicle is immobile (wheels locked, suspension smashed, etc), you’ll just have to wait for a tow truck to arrive but, if safe to do so, help direct traffic around the crash or ask someone else to do so.

You can arrange for a tow truck through the 000 operator. Your insurer may also arrange a tow truck for you if you request one.

Under most state’s laws you are obliged to inform the police. For example, in Victoria, unless police are present, you must report the incident to the police if anyone is injured, anyone’s property is damaged or if the other person involved in the accident does not stop or refuses to give their details.

If it is not an emergency, ring 131 444, or look for online forms. Alternatively, try the local police station rather than calling 000.

Unless someone has been injured, the police may not attend the accident. If they do attend, they will usually test drivers for alcohol or other drugs. It is an offence to refuse this test.

Saying ‘sorry’ or ‘I didn’t see you’ may be taken as an admission of liability. This is hard to remember when you’re feeling numbed immediately after a crash, but it may be used against you down the track.

The other driver may demand you admit liability. At that point, it’s best to diffuse the situation.

In extreme cases, where the other driver is threatening and aggressive, do your best to settle them down, but failing that, ring for the police to attend.

Record the date, time and location of the crash.

You are required by law to exchange contact details with the other driver. Try and get name, phone number, car registration and insurer details. Make sure you see the other driver’s licence, if available.

Write down the details, or – better yet – snap a photo of it with your smartphone. Provide the same information to the other driver.

Take photos of the scene and the damage to your and other vehicles if safe.

Do you have a dash cam? Do any of the drivers that were either involved in the crash or were in close proximity at the time of the crash have a dash cam? Ask them for copies of the file footage to be forwarded to you and your insurer.

Whether you are at fault or not, ask witnesses to provide any video footage from their smartphone and ask they supply contact details to support your insurance claim.

Taking a photo of any witness’ licence is also a good idea. They are not obliged to allow you to do that, however.

You are obliged to inform your insurer as soon as possible following an accident. Most have 24-hour hotlines or online services. If all else fails ring them in business hours ASAP.

If you have been injured but not hospitalised, see a GP at the earliest opportunity for a check-up. Some injuries only surface days, weeks or months after the crash, so be mindful of that.

In the case of a minor bingle that has occurred locally, it may be safe to drive your car home.

There are many things to consider here including the potential for the car to have damage you cannot see. You may also be creating another dangerous situation; for example, driving your car with smashed lights or indicators.

Err on the side of caution.

If your car is not mobile, don’t forget to remove anything of value or importance from the crashed car (provided it’s safe to do so). That could include house keys, the vehicle’s registration papers and owners’ manual, a camera or a phone, etc.

Make sure you obtain a business card from the tow truck driver taking your vehicle away to a repairer where it can be checked out by a loss assessor working for your insurance company.

Keep in a safe place all the contact details for the other driver and any witnesses to the crash.

Post-crash checklist:
• Stay calm, and if necessary, take charge
• Check others for injury
• Apply first aid
• Ring emergency services for injuries or if police attendance is required
• Ask driver of other vehicle for contact details – and insist on seeing a licence
• Don’t make threats, but do call the police if you are threatened
• Don’t admit liability
• Gather any evidence or witness statements available
• Get the damaged cars off the road as soon as practicable
• Phone insurer for tow truck if 000 hasn’t already dispatched one
• Ask insurer whether the policy includes roadside assistance and free towing
• Make sure you have contact details for all involved including the tow truck driver and police
• Look after your passengers and ensure they get home safely