Car accidents are never pleasant, but there are things you can do to make the whole ordeal just that little bit more bearable. This quick and easy guide will help you understand exactly what you need to do if and when you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Start by exchanging particulars with the owner of the other vehicle involved in the accident so you know how to get in touch with them. If the person driving the other vehicle isn’t the owner of the vehicle, be sure to clarify this and record the details of both the driver and the registered owner of the vehicle.
Particulars to record include the owner’s full name and address, their contact telephone number and their vehicle registration number. It’s also wise to document the accident by photographing both damaged vehicles to have a contemporaneous record of the damage caused. This is also an opportune time to identify and collect the names, addresses and contact telephone numbers of any people who might have witnessed the accident take place.
While you shouldn’t be dishonest with the other person, you should not admit liability or partial liability for the accident or try and negotiate an outcome with the other driver of the vehicle without first reporting the incident to your insurance company and discussing your options in more detail with one of their advisors.
Depending on what State or Territory you live in (and depending on the seriousness of the accident) you may be required by law to report the incident to the police. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the law as it applies to you. You can read more about car accidents and legal advice here.
Once you’re satisfied that you’ve done all of the following:
- Exchanged your name, address, contact telephone number and registration details with the owner of the other vehicle;
- Taken photos of the damage (especially caused to your vehicle) and identified and recorded the details of any witnesses; and,
- Made contact with your insurance company,
You’ve completed the first phase of the car accident management process (to learn more on this topic, read “I never knew it even existed”: the hidden benefits of non-fault accident management.)
If you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and you’re in need of a replacement vehicle, the next best move is to contact one of the friendly team members at Acorn Rentals. Our job is to replace your damaged vehicle with a new one from our diverse and extensive range of new cars. And the truly wonderful thing about what we do is that if the accident was not your fault, we chase up your insurance company to pay for our fees, so it won’t cost you a cent.
To learn more about our like-for-like replacement policy, read about our courtesy car promise: keeping you on the road with the car you love.