Over 32 billion drivers, over 2.4 billion accidents a year. This number alone clearly shows: each day there are 6,600 accidents. These are only accidents recorded by the police. The cases where the parties came to their own agreements are not included. It can happen to every innocent car owner – even those who are careful and drive defensively. Many do not know what they should do after an accident, the first-aid course was for a few years ago and panic causes you to forget the simplest of things. The correct behaviour in an accident is not only a matter of course but can also save lives. In our advice section, we provide you with information about the ideal behaviour after an accident for both personal and property damage. We have also spent time on accidents with wild animals and clarify the legal rights for hit-and-run accidents, helmet use for motorbikes or failure to render assistance. Our main tip, before we get started, is to look at law firms and hire a lawyer if you are subdued to personal injury that may affect your work. Whether it is the SK Law New Jersey firm you consider if they’re close to home, or someone else, having a look at their website will help you to see what these lawyers can do for you. Anyway, on with our recommended behaviour tips you should follow if you have an accident.
Lifesaving behaviour after an accident
Bad weather like fog or ice, risky overtaking manoeuvre, missing a red light, drunk drivers, wrong-way drivers: The list of causes of accidents is long and no driver is immune to a sudden accident. The worst accidents are those where people are injured. Even if the victim is the cause of the accident, the law stipulates quite clearly that help has to be rendered. Help is not only doing First Aid as is necessary for those with serious injuries but also calling the emergency services.
If there is an accident with injured persons, the proper behaviour can be seen through a quick and well thought out process. Saving lives is the first priority, drivers should not attempt in panic to look after the victims but to warn other vehicles with the help of hazard warning lights and the warning triangle. Otherwise, these can also get involved in the accident. It is mandatory to have a safety vest and to put it on before exiting the car as this protects you from danger.
Setting up the warning triangle
- In the city: 50 metres away
- Main streets: 100 metres away
- Highway: 200 metres away
The proper behaviour requires a quick registration of the injured. How many people require help? Can help be administered or are emergency services required? If an emergency call is necessary then the caller should be prepared with the “W” questions wait on further questions.
- Where did the accident happen?
- What happened?
- How many people are injured?
- What are the injuries?
- Who is calling?
Both the emergency services and the police need to be informed. The police will secure the accident scene, note all of the information, draw and document the circumstances of the accident and clear away vehicle parts from the road way. It is also important that the insurance is informed as soon as possible and receives an accident report.
First aid measures
In the UAE, a first aid course is completed prior to getting a driver’s license, but after a while many drivers forget how first aid for an injured person should be administered. Companies like Safety Skills Training DMCC (SST), The Emirates Technical & Safety Development Centre [ETSDC], GTSC and others offer basic as well as refresher courses with which drivers can prepare themselves for an emergency. This way they can refresh the CPR technique, learn that the affected person should lie still during haemostasis, and how to effectively apply a compression bandage. They should know when the recovery position is necessary and how to do it.
Accident with property damage
In an accident with property damage, it is important if the other person is present or not. If there is a collision in traffic, the warning lights should be turned on, warning vest should be put on and the warning triangle should be appropriately placed. Any vehicle parts that are in the way should be removed from the street. If the damage is less than 2000 AED then there is no need to call the police. The accident circumstances can be drawn by all parties and contact and insurance data can be exchanged. If it cannot be decided who is at fault, the other person leaves the scene without permission or more than two vehicles are involved in the accident, the police can take care of a fair process.
If the injured party is not at the scene of the accident because for example another car is hit while you are pulling out of a parking spot, then another accident behaviour is required. It is necessary to wait for 30 minutes prior to leaving the scene of the accident. It is punishable to not leave a note with your personal information.
Accident with wild animals
The accident behaviour with a collision with a wild animal depends on the size and type of animal. If it is dead, after turning on the warning lights and setting up the warning triangle, the police have to be informed. They will then take care of informing the responsible forestry office. If possible, take pictures of the damage to the car and draw the accident circumstance so that you can prove everything to the insurance.
An accident with a motorbike
If there is an accident with a motorbike, special regulations apply. For motorbikes with a maximum speed more than 20 km/h, a helmet has to be worn. Whoever violates the mandatory wearing of a helmet law in an accident the fine is higher. Even if the motorbike driver is not responsible for the collision, he automatically assumes responsibility due to the missing helmet.
Leaving the scene of an accident is allowed,
- in order to inform the police of the damage
- in order to look for help for any injured persons
- in order to take care of an injured person
- if only your vehicle is injured
- Otherwise: Black points, fines, revocation of driver’s license, imprisonment, insurance coverage is void
Assistance must be rendered when
- mental and physical powers permit
- will not hurt yourself (e.g. by infection)
- no one is injured
- no one else is available
- Otherwise: fine, imprisonment
Accidents can happen anywhere. The above suggestions hold true even if you were driving in Miami, Florida. While the laws might differ between countries, your behavior after an accident should remain the same. Just remember to immediately hire an auto accident attorney in Miami, Florida to handle your case and don’t answer questions to the insurance agency without an attorney present. Again, this applies everywhere in the world, not just to Miami!
If the accident vehicle is a write-off, then the owner, in addition to the accident, will have to deal with the insurance and the disposal. Professional buying companies like SellCarGetCash.com take this load off their customers‘ back by immediately purchasing the accident vehicle and finally, taking care of de-registering the vehicle at the licensing office and professionally disposing of the vehicle.