| Would you know what to do, if you have the | | | | Very Important, names, address, telephone numbers, |
| misfortune to be involved in a road traffic accident?If | | | | and where they were. |
| you are a driver, then sooner or later, you will be | | | | If they are other drivers, also obtain their vehicle |
| involved in a road traffic accident. Hopefully, not as the | | | | details.Basic Details of Accident - Day/date/time, road |
| main participant.Here's a quick outline of the actions | | | | name/junction, town/county, and brief details of what |
| required at the scene of a road traffic accident:Stop | | | | happened.Investigation police officer - name, number, |
| your vehicle, and turn off the engine.Stay calm and do | | | | division and station address. Also the Incident number |
| Not Panic. If other people see you panic, then they | | | | (if known).Damage details - any damage to your own |
| may start to panic as well, which will only make the | | | | vehicle, and damage to other vehicles, property or |
| situation worse.Check yourself and your passengers | | | | persons.Accident Details - type and width of road, |
| for injuries. Then check the other drivers/passengers | | | | weather conditions, visibility, density of traffic, road |
| involved. Do Not move anyone who may be | | | | surface condition (wet, dry, potholes etc), any |
| injured.Where possible move your passengers away | | | | comments made by other drivers or witnesses.If |
| from the roadway, out of harms way. But they should | | | | possible, you should draw a sketch of the accident |
| remain at the scene of the accident.You should warn | | | | showing such items as: |
| oncoming traffic (all directions) by activating your | | | | Road layout |
| hazard warning lights, or setting flares or warning | | | | Direction of travel for each vehicle involved |
| signs.If it is warranted, call the emergency services and | | | | Road signs |
| report the accident.Do Not admit fault or liability for the | | | | Road dimensions |
| accident to anyone. Do Not discuss the accident with | | | | Puddles and mud, glass and debris. |
| anyone other than the investigation police officer or | | | | Witness positions |
| your insurance/claim representative.Where it is | | | | Include anything else you may think is relevantThere is |
| necessary, you will need to exchange information with | | | | a lot of information required, but if there has been any |
| the other driver(s) involved. Gather as much of the | | | | damage or injury caused then it may be well worth |
| following information as possible. This information will | | | | your effort to obtain as much information as possible, |
| be useful in any accident litigation claims, insurance | | | | at the time of the accident. If you leave it until later, |
| claims and medical evaluations.You should obtain the | | | | then details may be forgotten. All of this information will |
| following information: | | | | be of use, if the other people involved should decide to |
| All involved vehicles - name and address of driver | | | | take legal action.Make a note of the information that |
| owner, telephone number (or other contact details) | | | | may be required and keep it handy, in your vehicle. It |
| insurance company details (policy number). | | | | may save you an awful lot of trouble.David Barnard is |
| All involved vehicles - registration number, make, | | | | a professional personal injury accident investigator. If |
| model and colour. | | | | you would like a free ready made Accident Advice |
| All involved vehicles - any passengers names and | | | | Form, complete with information notes, and space for |
| contact details. | | | | your answers and drawings, please go to and you can |
| Remember that the driver of a vehicle may not | | | | download a copy from there. |
| always be the owner - try to find out.Witnesses - | | | | |