What To Do In A Road Traffic Accidents
If you, a friend or a loved one is unfortunate enough to suffer
a personal injury from a road traffic accident, you should
consult a personal injury solicitor
Don't Move! If involved in a road traffic accident resulting in
injury, or sizeable damage to your vehicle, don't move from the
scene of the accident until the police arrive and advise that
you're ok to leave. If you're in any way unsure about the
'quantum' or amount of financial damage caused by an accident;
take care of your actions as these can impact on any claim you
make and affect any testimony you may have to make in court.
Seek Medical Help Has someone been injured in the road traffic
accident? Are you or anyone at the scene trained first aid? Then
get them, or yourself to the injured immediately. Ensure that
injured person isn't moved. Instruct the nearest person to
contact the police and report the accident. Giving details of
who is injured, how many persons are involved so that suitable
emergency help is dispatched. Do what you can to warn and divert
oncoming traffic away from the accident using hazard lights and
any warning triangles available.
Collect Information Whether a road traffic accident, or any
other type of accident, be sure to detail the following
information about:
A. Any witnesses details including:
i) name ii) address iii) telephone number.
B. The other drivers details including:
i) name ii) address iii) insurance details iv) license plate and
vehicle information
C. Location of the accident including:
i) where the accident happened ii) road conditions iii) speed
limits iv) traffic signals v) weather & lighting conditions.
D. Police officers details including:
i) police officer's number ii) an incident number iii) an
accident report. The office should be happy to furnish you with
this information.
E. Accident details including
i) how the accident occurred ii) direction of travel of the
vehicles involved in the accident ii) what the cars were doing
at the time of the collision.
Keep these notes safe as they may be required if you have to go
to court.
Don't admit liability In many road traffic accidents liability
may seem clear, but in the shock of the situation it's safer not
to admit liability. A number of factors which may have played a
role in the accident may come to light after investigation which
may lay the liability at the door of the other driver.
The only statements you have to make is to the police and no-one
else as this may affect a testimony you may have to make at a
future date. Only detail the facts to the police and they will
assess the information at hand themselves in their report.
Seek Medical Attention However minor you injury, to seek medical
attention makes sense as a simple bruise may lead to internal
bleeding for example if not checked out by a professional.
Getting a handle on the severity of the injury at the time will
also help you in any road traffic accident claim you may decide
to put forward.
For example, if your injuries are not reported immediately the
other driver may argue that the injuries sustained are not
related to the accident and happened before or afterwards.
Typically, shock and adrenaline caused by any accident can hide
the true symptoms of your accident
Be sure to give the medical practitioner as much information as
possible about how you're feeling as a result of the road
traffic accident including:
i) loss of memory ii) headaches iii) blood or fluid in your ear
iv) dizziness v) ringing in the ears vi) disorientation
vii)nausea viii) confusion or other unusual physical or mental
feelings
To prevent the onset of a concussion or other head and brain
injuries do not avoid speaking to a medical practitioner or a
doctor.