What should you do after a car crash?
Posted by Richard Sinclair
There is little worse for drivers than being involved in a car accident, with the moment of panic following a collision sometimes causing people to make rash decisions.
Should motorists find themselves in such a situation though, Simon Elstow, a driver training specialist at the Institute of Advanced Motorists' Drive & Survive scheme, is hoping to ease people through the process as comfortably as possible.
He noted: "The reality is nobody wants to think about having a car accident. But it’s important to be prepared in case you are involved in one. And if it happens, try not to get angry or upset."
Mr Elstow went on to acknowledge that drivers should not forget the fact that they are on a road following an incident in their car.
As a result, traffic may still be flowing around the vehicles involved in a crash, so motorists should not just jump out of their car without first checking what is around them.
Before even stepping out of a vehicle, Mr Elstow pointed out that an engine should be switched off and hazard lights switched on, so that other motorists are aware of the danger.
Once these issues have been sorted, each driver involved in the incident should find a safe spot to exchange details – of which needs to include the name and address of the other car user/users, as well as vehicle and insurance company details.
The expert also stressed that the police do not need to get involved in a road accident unless someone has been injured or dangerous driving is suspected by one of the motorists involved.
His advice comes soon after a study devised by professional driving instructor Neil Beeson suggested that women drivers are better at parking a car than their male counterparts.
Would you know how to react in a smart fashion following a road accident?
Good advice. I’m not sure about the parking but women are much less likely to be involved in accidents. This is why it seems unfair for women to pay the same insurance premiums, as proposed by the EU.