What to do after a minor accident

Car accidents can happen to anyone, and the RACV has provided some tips on what to do after a minor bingle.

If you are involved in a car accident, the first thing to do is take a deep breath, put your hazard lights on and calmly assess the situation. If you can move your car safely off the road, park it out of the way of traffic, switch off your ignition, and keep your hazard lights on.

Once you’re safe, talk to the other parties involved in the car accident. If anyone is injured or trapped, first call 000 for emergency assistance. You need to collect the name, address, phone number, car registration number, and insurance details of the other driver/s involved to claim on your car insurance.

Refusing to provide this information is a criminal offence in all Australian states, so call the police if a driver leaves the scene without divulging their details.

While everything is still fresh in your mind, write down the date, time and exact location of the accident, the speed you believe you were driving at, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, any factors that led to the accident such as a driver using their phone in the leadup to the accident, and a diagram displaying how the accident occurred.

Make sure you take plenty of photos of the crash site and any damage to cars and property, and politely request the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. Their accounts will help your car insurer determine who was at fault.

If your car has sustained major damage, it shouldn’t be driven away from the scene. Your insurer may help organise a towing service, but make sure you remove any valuables or personal possessions from the car before it’s towed.

For more advice, head to www.racv.com.au.