Accident Checklist
Discussion
Philshort's "tagged" thread got me thinking that I should keep a disposable camera with a flash in my car along with the first aid kit.
I also decided a checklist of things to do in the event of an accident (also useful info such as my insurance details) would be worth having because it's all to easy to forget important self-preservation things such as photographing the scene and calling the police.
Here's my checklist:
1. Is the scene safe? Switch off engines, turn on hazard lights.
2. Is anyone injured? Call Ambulance and Police if necessary, or there is any doubt over health/ability of any party.
3. Photograph the scene as much as possible, including final resting positions of vehicles, road markings and tyre marks on road.
4. Move cars out of the way if they are causing an obstruction
5. Don't get angry or punch anyone!
6. Note down registration/description of cars in case camera gets lost.
7. Swap insurance details
8. If possible, try to get a signed declaration of fault and/or a description of events from other driver
9. Check car is roadworthy before moving off. If in any doubt, get AA assistance.
I'm going to find a way to store stuff like this out of the way under the dash in the passenger footwell so as to not waste any of my limited storage space. It's a shame to have to plan ahead like this, but reading PH often gives a bleak view of the lengths people will go to to screw other people over. I blame ClaimsDirect, America and blue Smarties.
Have I missed anything?
I also decided a checklist of things to do in the event of an accident (also useful info such as my insurance details) would be worth having because it's all to easy to forget important self-preservation things such as photographing the scene and calling the police.
Here's my checklist:
1. Is the scene safe? Switch off engines, turn on hazard lights.
2. Is anyone injured? Call Ambulance and Police if necessary, or there is any doubt over health/ability of any party.
3. Photograph the scene as much as possible, including final resting positions of vehicles, road markings and tyre marks on road.
4. Move cars out of the way if they are causing an obstruction
5. Don't get angry or punch anyone!
6. Note down registration/description of cars in case camera gets lost.
7. Swap insurance details
8. If possible, try to get a signed declaration of fault and/or a description of events from other driver
9. Check car is roadworthy before moving off. If in any doubt, get AA assistance.
I'm going to find a way to store stuff like this out of the way under the dash in the passenger footwell so as to not waste any of my limited storage space. It's a shame to have to plan ahead like this, but reading PH often gives a bleak view of the lengths people will go to to screw other people over. I blame ClaimsDirect, America and blue Smarties.
Have I missed anything?
get u're car accident kits....think they sell similar things at halfords etc
www.storeshop.com/car_accident_report.html
[url]
www.stevesstuff.com/auto_kit.php|www.stevesstuff.com/auto_kit.php[/url]
http://mrtraffic.com/securit.htm
>> Edited by billb on Friday 9th August 14:21
>> Edited by billb on Friday 9th August 14:21
www.storeshop.com/car_accident_report.html
[url]
www.stevesstuff.com/auto_kit.php|www.stevesstuff.com/auto_kit.php[/url]
http://mrtraffic.com/securit.htm
>> Edited by billb on Friday 9th August 14:21
>> Edited by billb on Friday 9th August 14:21
quote:
From my dodgy memory I seem to remember an insurance company telling me to NEVER admit fault. Even if you were clearly in the wrong.
Yes, I know that, and you know that... but if you can get it off the guilty driver, it'll make things so much easier! Worth a try surely - so long as you can't be accused of pressuring them to admit it.
If your car is towed away and is a write off try and find where it will be towed to. Often this is a garage designated by insurance company so that they can inspect it if necessary. In my experience the proprietors of these garages are not particularly interested - they are just paid for storage and they may allow you to return to the car to remove stuff after insurance guy has been. Such stuff as jacket, ciggys, twin webers, ported head, electronic ignition, etc etc.
9. Check car is roadworthy before moving off. If in any doubt, get AA assistance.
When I had a crach in April that left the car un-driveable the AA did not want to know, and I have the full monty policy that should cover all eventualities.
They said it is not a breakdown (correct, of sorts) but then it was an emergency (for me anyway!).
(I will not be renewing with them.)
When I had a crach in April that left the car un-driveable the AA did not want to know, and I have the full monty policy that should cover all eventualities.
They said it is not a breakdown (correct, of sorts) but then it was an emergency (for me anyway!).
(I will not be renewing with them.)
quote:
From my dodgy memory I seem to remember an insurance company telling me to NEVER admit fault. Even if you were clearly in the wrong.
Dead right - NEVER
admit liability at the scene - technically this will invalidate your insurance (although the Ombudsman will p!ss all over you insurer if they try anything funny) - just get details of all concerned, piccies if you can, let the insurer sort it - that's why you pay all that dough once a year. Quite often (i.e. always) adrenaline takes over and you never quite remember everything - that's way the 'accident packs' from Halfords et al. can be handy. PS if anyone has agg with their insurance I'm quite happy to offer what advice I can - although I don't work in the 'business' side anymore, having moved to The Dark Side (I.T.) - I can still get most questions answered through contacts...no promises mind
quote:The RAC are the complete opposite. Very good indeed. They will try to recover the cost from the at fault party's insurance but it won't push your renewal up unless they don't get their money back.
9. Check car is roadworthy before moving off. If in any doubt, get AA assistance.
When I had a crach in April that left the car un-driveable the AA did not want to know, and I have the full monty policy that should cover all eventualities.
They said it is not a breakdown (correct, of sorts) but then it was an emergency (for me anyway!).
(I will not be renewing with them.)
Actually that REALLY 
s me off. This idea that as soon as you crash your car, the insurance company can (effectively) decide to take the thing away from you based on their own slime-bag methods of determining a write off (normally by undervaluing the car and overvaluing the repair bill).
Its my bloody car, even if its a write-off l'm not having some garage keep hold of it who 'may' let you take back any of the modifications. The insurance company will gladly double your premium if you modify your car but won't increase its write-off value so 'em l say, they're yours by right.
And as for having to bid to get your car back.... and subsequently attract suspicion cos you may be up to something...
(in case you couldn't tell)
s me off. This idea that as soon as you crash your car, the insurance company can (effectively) decide to take the thing away from you based on their own slime-bag methods of determining a write off (normally by undervaluing the car and overvaluing the repair bill). Its my bloody car, even if its a write-off l'm not having some garage keep hold of it who 'may' let you take back any of the modifications. The insurance company will gladly double your premium if you modify your car but won't increase its write-off value so
'em l say, they're yours by right. And as for having to bid to get your car back.... and subsequently attract suspicion cos you may be up to something...
(in case you couldn't tell)Had similar discussion with my insurance company over previous mentioned accident.
They assumed the car now belonged to them, as I could not drive it from the scene, and assumed I would be making a claim on my insurance.
As it turned out I did make a claim (silly not to with £8500 repair bill).
When I pointed out to them that surely they do not 'own' the vehicle until I agree to accept their total loss value, and that I am free to move the car to where I want, until I decide to make a claim, they just replyed 'yes, sir. but we assumed......etc'
They then tried to write the vehicle off, saying it was worth about £12 k. I know Elise S1 has dropped inprice, but how could they realistically value the car when the inspection guy did not recognise the model (135 sport).
Crook industry that makes up the rules as they go along, etc.
They assumed the car now belonged to them, as I could not drive it from the scene, and assumed I would be making a claim on my insurance.
As it turned out I did make a claim (silly not to with £8500 repair bill).
When I pointed out to them that surely they do not 'own' the vehicle until I agree to accept their total loss value, and that I am free to move the car to where I want, until I decide to make a claim, they just replyed 'yes, sir. but we assumed......etc'
They then tried to write the vehicle off, saying it was worth about £12 k. I know Elise S1 has dropped inprice, but how could they realistically value the car when the inspection guy did not recognise the model (135 sport).
Crook industry that makes up the rules as they go along, etc.
2. Tempting to call the rozzers whatever - either way you have to report it to them at some point. Though I'm not sure how interested they will be if no one is injured.
3. I would try to be sneaky and include the other drivers/passengers in some pictures - they may go AWOL or develop a life threatening head wound at a later point in time.
6. Should come out in the wash of swapping insurance details, but worth doing in case someone tries to pull a swift one. Maybe you'd better do some impressionist artwork of the incident for the same reason?
8. I would make a point not to enter into any sort of conversation about this - it's something for the insurers third party specialists to fight out.
9. I wouldn't wipe my ar$e on the piece of paper AA membership is written on.
Camera is a good idea - been meaning to do that for years but never get around it. Pen & paper may sound obvious. I used to have copies of documents with me too, the rozzers who stopped me loved that.
Of course one of the most important things you missed is getting witnesses - you might as well just call "Taxi!" without em.
2p
Moom.
>> Edited by moomin on Monday 12th August 15:45
3. I would try to be sneaky and include the other drivers/passengers in some pictures - they may go AWOL or develop a life threatening head wound at a later point in time.
6. Should come out in the wash of swapping insurance details, but worth doing in case someone tries to pull a swift one. Maybe you'd better do some impressionist artwork of the incident for the same reason?
8. I would make a point not to enter into any sort of conversation about this - it's something for the insurers third party specialists to fight out.
9. I wouldn't wipe my ar$e on the piece of paper AA membership is written on.
Camera is a good idea - been meaning to do that for years but never get around it. Pen & paper may sound obvious. I used to have copies of documents with me too, the rozzers who stopped me loved that.
Of course one of the most important things you missed is getting witnesses - you might as well just call "Taxi!" without em.
2p
Moom.
>> Edited by moomin on Monday 12th August 15:45
Police are not required at the scene of non injury RTA's. However, I think I'd be tempted to get a sudden attack of chest pains or neck ache just to get them there.
That way, the other drivers details and identity will be verified so you know the car is registered to him and where he can be found.
Regards
Rob
That way, the other drivers details and identity will be verified so you know the car is registered to him and where he can be found.
Regards
Rob
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