6 steps to remember after you’ve had an accident

IF you’re unlucky enough to be involved in a car accident, you know it’s a stressful time. No one wants to have an accident but they do happen and it’s important to know what to do after a crash has occurred.

Northglen News recently caught up with Marshall Security’s Kyle van Reenen who said if motorists take the right steps immediately after a car crash you can stop a bad situation from getting worse.

He has offered six simple steps to follow to ensure everything runs smoothly.

• Stop your vehicle immediately and switch on your hazard lights. If someone is hurt call an ambulance and the police. If someone has died moving the car is actually a criminal offense.

• If you are blocking traffic, move your car to a safe nearby location, but be careful not to leave the scene.

• Get the details (name, address and contact details as well as their car insurance details) of all the vehicles involved in the accident. The time and date of the accident are also important.

• Assess the extent of the damage to your car. If you have a camera on you (the camera on your cell phone will do), take pictures of the accident from different angles. Remember to take close-up photos of any damage to your vehicle for insurance purposes.

• Remember to take a photograph of both the license disk and drivers license of the third party.

• Report the accident to the police. The accident must be reported by all parties involved at a police station within 24 hours.

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