{"id":10224,"date":"2017-08-24T01:20:16","date_gmt":"2017-08-24T01:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/1951-do-you-now-what-to-do-after-a-motor-vehicle-accident1b83\/"},"modified":"2021-04-12T13:24:36","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T13:24:36","slug":"1951-do-you-now-what-to-do-after-a-motor-vehicle-accident1b83","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/1951-do-you-now-what-to-do-after-a-motor-vehicle-accident1b83\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you know what to do after a motor vehicle accident?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"all\">\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"item-page\">\n<p>Unfortunately, no one is &#8220;immune&#8221; from a motor vehicle accident. After an accident, a number of things need to be done to prevent unnecessary legal expenses and insurance pay-out delays.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What you must do if there are injuries or serious damage to property<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Stop your car immediately after the accident. It is illegal to continue driving after a car accident has occurred. If there are injuries or serious damage to property, you must stay at the scene of the accident unless you yourself have to go for help. You can only leave the scene after a police officer has given you permission to do so.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Keep safety in mind and stop to the side and off the road surface, if possible. Switch on your vehicle&#8217;s hazard lights so that other cars can clearly see yours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not move vehicles involved in the accident as this can be construed as tampering with evidence. If for some reason you absolutely have to move the vehicles, only do so after marking their position on the road with chalk or spray paint, or taking photographs before the vehicles are moved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>If a driver, passenger or pedestrian has been injured, you are obliged to render assistance to the best of your abilities. You can be criminally charged for failing to help anyone who is hurt in the accident. However, do not give first aid if you are not qualified to do so. Call an ambulance for serious injuries. A doctor must be consulted immediately, even if the injury is not serious.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Call the police if someone is injured, if the collision has caused a dangerous situation, or if someone leaves the scene without exchanging details. Stay at the scene until the police have arrived.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Co-operate with all emergency personnel and police who respond to the accident.\n<ul>\n<li>If the driver is driving a company or someone else&#8217;s vehicle, the name of the employer or owner and his or her contact details<\/li>\n<li>Names, identity numbers, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of all drivers of vehicles involved in the accident<\/li>\n<li>Get the address where the tow truck is taking your vehicle<\/li>\n<li>Names and contact details of the police officials, paramedics and tow truck drivers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Collect the following information:\n<ul>\n<li>Description of the motor vehicles, as well as their registration numbers and any relevant details from the licence discs<\/li>\n<li>Witnesses&#8217; names, addresses and contact details<\/li>\n<li>Injuries to people or animals<\/li>\n<li>Surrounding area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Make drawings of the scene of the accident, clearly marking fixed points in the vicinity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Make some notes of what happened immediately before and after the accident, for example if the other driver was talking on his or her cell or driving too fast or is under the influence of alcohol when driving, For example, note if you saw alcohol bottles or smelt alcohol \u2013 if so, inform this to the police when they arrive. Make a note of the weather and road conditions when the accident occurred<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Notify your car insurance company. In the case of a serious accident, you are advised to consult a lawyer before sharing any but the basic details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What you must do if there are NO injuries or serious damage to property<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Stop your car immediately after the accident. It is illegal to continue driving after a car accident has occurred. Keep safety in mind and stop to the side and off the road surface, if possible. Switch on your vehicle&#8217;s hazard lights so that other cars can clearly see yours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>If there are no injuries and the vehicles are obstructing the flow of traffic, you may move the vehicles out of the way but mark their position on the road first with chalk or spray paint if available, or photograph and sketch the scene before the cars are moved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Witnesses&#8217; names, addresses and contact details.<\/li>\n<li>The time, date, and the address where the accident occurred<\/li>\n<li>Description of the motor vehicles, as well as their registration numbers and any relevant details from the licence discs<\/li>\n<li>If the driver is driving a company or someone else&#8217;s vehicle, the name of the employee or owner and his or her contact details<\/li>\n<li>Names, identity numbers, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of all drivers of vehicles involved in the accident<\/li>\n<li>Get the address where the tow truck is taking your vehicle<\/li>\n<li>Names and contact details of the police officials, paramedics and tow truck drivers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Collect the following information:\n<ul>\n<li>Injuries to people or animals<\/li>\n<li>Surrounding area;<\/li>\n<li>Scene of the accident from all angles<\/li>\n<li>Take pictures or a video<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Make drawings of the scene of the accident, clearly marking fixed points in the vicinity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item-page\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Make some notes of what happened immediately before and after the accident, for example if the other driver was talking on his or her cell or driving too fast or is under the influence of alcohol when driving, For example, note if you saw alcohol bottles or smelt alcohol. Make a note of the weather and road conditions when the accident occurred<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>If the accident was minor and there were no injuries, but your vehicle is damaged or another person&#8217;s property has been damaged, you must report it in person to the police within 24 hours or on the first working day after the accident. Report the accident to any police officer at a police station or at any office set aside by a competent authority such as the Metro Police for use by a traffic officer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Get an official reference number from the police as proof that the road accident has been reported.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Notify your car insurance company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What you must not do after a motor vehicle accident?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not move your vehicle; unless it is necessary for safety or required by law. If a person or animal has been injured in the accident, do not interfere with the evidence or move any vehicles unless those vehicles are obstructing the traffic completely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not wait in an area near traffic or other safety hazards, thus exposing yourself to further injury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not leave the scene of an accident where there are injuries or serious damage to property or where the accident caused a serious situation, for example an oil spill. The police will tell you when you may leave.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not throw away any potential evidence, such as defective products, important documents, or torn or blood-stained clothing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not engage in discussions of fault with anyone; do not admit liability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not agree to settlement terms without discussing the matter with your car insurance company or a lawyer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not drink any alcohol or take any drugs that have a narcotic effect, especially if the police may ask you to submit to a medical examination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do not sign a written statement reporting the accident to the police without consulting your car insurance company or lawyer first. When reporting the accident, give only the essentials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Don&#8217;t allow your vehicle to be towed by any towing service other than the one authorised by your car insurance company. If you don&#8217;t have tow cover, ask the tow truck driver for a quote before your vehicle is towed away.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"video-shortcode\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"nGxKvuzih7\"><p><a href=\"http:\/\/carinfo.co.za\/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident\/\">What to do after a car accident<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe title=\"&#8220;What to do after a car accident&#8221; &#8212; carinfo\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" src=\"http:\/\/carinfo.co.za\/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident\/embed\/#?secret=nGxKvuzih7\" data-secret=\"nGxKvuzih7\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>https:\/\/www.firstforwomen.co.za\/blog\/what-to-do-in-case-of-a-car-accident\/?vdn=27333<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/www.legalwise.co.za\/help-yourself\/quicklaw-guides\/car-accidents<br \/>\nhttp:\/\/www.saps.gov.za\/faqdetail.php?fid=10<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/www.westerncape.gov.za\/general-publication\/what-do-accident-scene<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unfortunately, no one is &#8220;immune&#8221; from a motor vehicle accident.  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,192],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-future-legal","category-your-wellness-trauma"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10224"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10224\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}