What To Do In The Event Of An
Accident
If you have an accident there are some things
you must do by law. They come from the Road Traffic Act(s)
These are set out in the Highway Code and also in many road
atlas's and other publications for drivers.
Just to remind you, the Highway Code says:
If you are involved in an accident which causes
damage or injury to any other person , or other vehicle, or
any animal (horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or
dog) not in your vehicle, or to roadside property you
MUST:
- Stop
- Give your own and the vehicle owner's
name and address and the registration number of the
vehicle to anyone having reasonable grounds for
requiring them;
- If you do not give your name and
address at the time of the accident, report the
accident to the police as soon as reasonably
practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.
- If another person is injured and you
do not produce your insurance certificate at the time
of the accident to the police or to anyone who with
reasonable grounds has requested it, you MUST
also:
- report the accident to the police as
soon as possible, and in any case within 24 hours;
- produce your insurance certificate to
the police either when reporting the accident or within
seven days at any police station you select.
The conditions in your policy say that you must
not admit liability. Even saying 'sorry' can be taken as
admission of guilt. IT IS NOT UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHO IS TO
BLAME.
Leave that to your insurers and if necessary
the law courts. Also, the police do not decide who is to blame.
If they are involved they will be collecting evidence to
determine if a criminal offence has taken place and if so,
reporting this to the Crown Prosecution Service.
If they have evidence to prosecute someone for
a driving offence the chances are that the same evidence proves
an act of negligence in a civil court.
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"A car drove away at speed catching our client
who went up in the air
and his head went through the windscreen and
then rolled off at the
traffic lights a good few feet away.
The car then sped off and miraculously our
client remained conscious
and managed to cross the road."
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Extracts taken from actual claim
forms submitted to
a number of UK car insurance companies |
Next.....
What To Do In The Event Of An Accident When It's Your
Fault
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