What To Do After A Car Accident

Many of us have heard the crunch of bumpers and brakes at some point during our lives, whether it was a minor nudge or a serious accident on the road. Most car accidents are not more serious than a few dents in the metal or a bruised ego, but they can still be stressful. Preparedness can help you to avoid panic, and achieve the best outcome from a challenging situation.

An Post Insurance has compiled a checklist based on their many years of working with Irish drivers. This is a good reminder to have in case the worst happens behind the wheel.

First things first

Call the emergency services immediately if someone is injured. An Garda Siochana will still need to be contacted if you don’t have an accident. They need to know as soon as possible if someone is injured or your vehicle has been damaged or stolen. The Gardai are required to be contacted by law, but they have also dealt with many accidents and can guide you through the entire process.

Keep cool

You may be angry or flustered in the aftermath of an accident. But you should not get into a discussion about who is to blame. And you shouldn’t make rash statements that you could regret. Even if you have to count to 10 several times, try to remain calm and polite.

Take Notes

Take note of the registration and insurance numbers for all cars involved. (If the license plate is damaged you can still find them on the tax disc or insurance disc in the windscreen. Also, you should get the names, numbers, and addresses of any witnesses and other drivers involved in the accident. Keep a pen, paper and a notebook in your vehicle for this purpose. It can be hard to type on a phone after a big shock. You can also use your phone to take photos and videos. Try to get close-up shots of the damage and the location of the vehicle on the road.

Let experts do their job

In this situation, your car insurance provider is ready to assist you. You should forward all correspondence and information you receive about the accident to the Claims Department. They will then contact the other parties.

Don’t forget to drink your cuppa

After a minor incident, you’ll often be offered a sugary cup of tea in Ireland. Although there is no medical evidence to support its benefits, the first sip can be a miracle when you need a little comfort or calm.