I am lucky enough to not have experience any car accident to date. Hence, I would be rather lost and shocked in such an event. Let's face it… there is always a risk while driving. Any tip/advice you are willing to share to help through such stressful events?
What to do right after a car accident?
yk300 on 30/10/2013 - 00:09
Comments
This is so true. Yesterday 3 cars bumped into each other on the M4. No one hurt, nothing serious. Not sure how but all 4 lanes managed to get blocked somehow. Stuck in traffic for an 1 hour before they finally moved over and cleared the way.
If safe and practical, I would suggest quickly getting out of your car and taking a couple pictures of the accident scene as it happened. Then move your car.
then post the pictures on facebook
unless you were posting on facebook when the accident happened.
Pull over immediately and if anyone is injured you should call the police/ambulance straight away.
You never admit fault. I think the standard line is something like "It came out of nowhere".
Get the registration of the car and basic details about the car. Then exchange information with the other driver (name, address, phone number, insurance specifics, time of accident that you both agree on, point of impact that you both agree on).
Most people have a smart phone these days. Take a photo of the damage to your car and their car.
You may need to report the accident to the police depending on how big it is. (blocked road or high $$ damage)
This is probably how things would go in an ideal situation. The other driver could not stop and keep driving or they may not even have insurance. Try to get their registration ASAP incase they try to drive away.
Yep, good tip - always get their rego and car details. My friend exchanged details with some people who rear-ended her car and they gave her all fake details. Luckily she'd been smart enough to take down their rego.
Always take a photo of their drivers license, it's what I did
And check their licence to make sure you're getting a real name and address!
Also get details of any witnesses.
Take a photo of their drives license.
front and back, in victoria, changes of address is a sticker at the back of the card!
Take a photo of their drives license.
I was told it is illegal to take a photo of the drivers license if the owner refuses. Something to do with identity theft issues
I wouldn't do this, nor will I allow for my license details be taken other than the license number.
I had a run in with a person who hit me from behind, his fault and he admitted it. Shared information including my address.
One night after the incident, somebody came over my place and busted the windows of my car.
damn scary… but yes i would find it unorthodox/uncomfortable if someone asked to take a photo of my license. I'd assume checking the license itself when copying down the no. should be sufficient.
Never admit fault? Even when you know 100% its your fault … thats what i call a scumbag
There are many reasons why one shouldn't admit fault at the scene of an accident. Insurance companies specifically tell you not to admit fault no matter what and leave it to the authorities to decide. It's not about being a scumbag, it's about working with the facts and not inadvertantly saying the wrong thing (which you may end up being liable for) in the heat of the moment, when adrenalin is pumping or in shock etc etc
pretty sure daleyboy said "when you know 100% its your fault"
example of an incident i was unfortunately involved in.
stopped a red light, L plater run into the back of me from behind in broad daylight. Her reason was she misjudged how much braking is required to stop the 4x4.
Now her mother apologised and admitted fault, and really helped calm a very frustrating situation down.
Theres nothing wrong with admitting fault when its 100% obvious.
That's not the point. There's no such thing as 100% sure. Regardless FAULT is not for you to decide. That's the police's and/or insurance companies job once all the facts are laid out.
Here's an example. The L plater may have been the victim of someone cutting their brake lines (extreme I know but I'm trying to make a point)or distracted by someone intentionally shining a mirror in their face. Thereby making the person at fault a THIRD Party. It's not just who's relatively at fault between you two, there could be other parties involved.
Like I said there's no such thing as 100% certainty anyway and it's not for the individuals to make that judgement at the scene of an accident.
The idea is to stay calm, exchange details, take photos, gather witnesses names and leave the investigation to someone else.
It's just making the life harder for both when you don't admit even you know it's "100%" your fault, well at least in a minor accident.
Say if you minor rear-ended the front with little damages, you can most likely settle it by offering a little amount(less than access fee) to the other driver.
Sure you may not want to take all responsibility by admitting fault in a major accident, and that's when you say "not to admit fault and leave it to the authorities to decide"You're missing the point entirely. Never mind.
but for example in cloudy's situation, when emotion's are flying (it's inevtiable, you/someone else just busted somoene else's/your car), there should ideally be some closure not just a blank poker face and asking for details.
i understand your reasons for saying to not admit fault, but it seems slightly unrealistic the blame game isn't gonna pop up - not entirely easy to avoid. although yes I'd agree getting the most information out of the situation should be the priority, difficult to see who's at fault when you're involved one way or another.
It's a condition of most (probably all) car insurance that you never admit fault.
Your insurance company is the one that admits fault, not you.Agreed here.
My cousin works for NRMA and he said you never admit fault because there could be other factors which may be contributory.. once someone admit's fault, then you become 100% liable, whether you are or not.
Even if you think you're at fault, its best leave it to the insurers to investigate…
Following an accident not everyone is without some degree of shock. People can behave and sound quite normal and not even realise they have a problem. Always wise to hold back on the talk as you never know what may be used against you; what may not be correct after all. We have all heard many a time when "scumbags" have coerced/convinced a new driver they were at fault when they simply were not at fault. You never know what may come out later … you never know what you may have missed too. Make the job easier for your insurance to sort out and say next to nothing while they do their job.
I had a shock reaction myself once and I had absolutely no idea at all I was experiencing it. I had thought my vehicle was hit in the rear (which it wasn't) as I was being tail-gated, and couldn't see the scene of the accident immediately (my car did a 3/4 turn on impact … just in 2nd gear). After parking stalled vehicle in service lane, I got out of the car and walked around it but saw no damage before seeing the other vehicle (front half compacted) stranded in a busy intersection. I waved at and indicated to the old lady (had been speeding etc) to stay in the car. Vehicles were diverging all around her; many of them ignorantly bipping at the hold up. She was fussing about her dog, totally unworried about her car. Was still looking for "other" vehicle when a witness (driver of the tail-gating vehicle) suggested I check on my car as I may indeed want to use one of those towtrucks. That was when I actually first saw the damage to mine (write off)! Ambulance came and went (don't know who rang them). Discovered I had whiplash type neck accident following weeks of intense headaches; permanent damage of which still exists today.
Moral of the story: You may think you are fine when indeed you are not! Err on the side of caution and be quiet.
damn, must of been a shock to see the damage after you checked already. was the damage on the side of the car itself?
As for the part "never admit fault", what if:
driver A admits fault at the accident scene, but later claims they've never admitted fault? Unless driver B get driver A's admission to fault in writing, driver A can always deny it
driver A doesn't admit fault, but the driver B later claims the driver A has admitted fault?
- Find Driver A
- Rip their tongue out
- ????
yeh this… although I guess getting an admission would never hurt if possible.
a friend once got into an accident where the driver admitted fault at the scene. However completely denied it afterwards. Luckily there were construction workers doing some on the road at the time so he was able to get witness details/statement. although most of the time you won't likely be as lucky.
Be aware of traffic - everyone around you doesn't just stop because you've been in an accident. Stop and take a few deep breaths before you get out of the car, making doubly sure that it is safe to do so.
If it isn't safe or you don't feel right, then stay in the car until help arrives.
Check the occupants of the other car.
Move somewhere safe (off the road, behind a crash barrier etc).
Call the police/ambulance if required.
Move your car out of the way if it's safe/practical to do so.
Do not admit any liability to the other party.
Stay calm and don't make any accusations. If the other person is being belligerent then move away and call the police.
Have a think about what happened to try and straighten it out in your head - as you'll be getting asked soon enough to explain (to police, insurance company etc).
Call someone - if it is more than a minor prang then you'll probably need a lift. Having some support is helpful too when you are stressed out.It's helpful to have your RAC number, insurance details and license on you for events like these - so make sure you keep them on you or in your car.
Some great Answers here. Beat me to it. Maybe get a dash cam also
Be careful what you say to the cops or the other driver if there is one. I've heard stories of people getting tricked into taking the blame or charges thanks to a few off the cuff remarks
i would 1) leave the car where it is and get off the road and 2) take photos of the accident. also check that the other driver is not hurt
If it's in a public car park,it seems the first thing most people do is look around to see if anyone else saw them. Subject to the first, the second thing they seem to do is get out of there quickly before someone sees them.
Yes, I have a jaded outlook after many years of parking in public car parks.
If everyone is uninjured then exchange personal contact details; rego,, car make, model and colour. For your own benefit make a note of person's features and clothing.
Don't argue but say i'll leave that with the insurance company (that's their job). If someone is acting aggressively then take down rego and vehicle description and either lock yourself inside stalled vehicle and ring Police, or If you can leave the accident scene report to the closest Police station and explain the situation there.
See if you can obtain details from any witnesses; you will find that if there is any most will not wish to be involved. Taxi drivers do seem to be able to produce other taxi drivers as witnesses out of thin air in court!
Take photos (videos too) if not putting yourself and others in harm's way.
Do not move vehicles unless it is safe to do so. People walking about (some possiblu in shock) may present a real road risk to themselves and other road users. Tow trucks are extremely quick to respond to vehicle accidents so safer to wait at most times.
If someone is injured it is absolutely necessary (by law) to provide assistance, ringing for an ambulance etc. Do not provide any refreshments to other drivers or passengers but assure them help is on way. Police must be contacted if people injured or property damaged too.
Try to remain calm. Most people are involved in a car accident at some point in their lives; Murphys Law. People are not perfect and with the slightest lapse in concentration can make a silly mistake.
Write out some notes after and ring your insurance company for the next steps; they will arrange everything from then on … that's their job.
thanks for the tips guys.
Just to clarify:
Is it necessary to call the police in the case of a minor accident? ie no injured and car is still drive-able.No.
In Qld the police don't attend unless the vehicles are in a dangerous position &/or the damage is over $5k.
Also, all you need is the rego number of the car. Your insurance company can contact the police to get all the other info about the driver. It's unlikely the owner will take the blame for an accident if it wasn't them driving at the time.If you hit someone on a bike or motorcycle make sure they don't try to move or stand up and call an ambulance asap. Many riders have suffered broken necks as a result of being moved by non-paramedics.
No; not unless there is an angry dispute that is escalating. Property, such as public and private fences etc should be reported to Police and insurance company.
Different people react quite differently from others in accident situations. Try to be calm and professional nevertheless. While there is always some financial and nuisance factor aspect associated with an accident at the end of the day, if no one was injured, remember that vehicles are just metal, paint and plastic - and usually quite fixable.
You can exchange insurance company names but it is not necessary to show your licence to others (apart ftom Police of course).
You shouldn't leave car detrius on the road or roadside also. Tow trucks usually carry a broom for thst purpose.
Once you contact your insurance company there is usually no need to have any further contact with other driver, so the quicker you contact them the quicker the claim can be dealt with. If the other driver rings you after that just tell them to contact the insurance company, and say nothing else.
In Victoria, I was told by emergency (000) that the police are only required if there are drugs or alcohol involved, someone's injured or there is violence/escalation.
In addition to the above, make sure you get names & phone numbers of eyewitnesses, they are admissable in court and can back your story, well for more serious cases, one more thing, getting car rego is good but getting ID of driver is also important, just pray they have a valid drivers license otherwise things can get complicated! If no license get a photo of a credit/bank card, medicare card etc if they refuse you could always take their photo, give that to the cops and they can match it to the photo on license, if they never held a drivers license, get ready to play 'pin the tail on the donkey'….
on a side note… I recall my first aid instructor (a few years ago)saying that some people do not call ambulances because they might potentially get charged for that and it cost much more and probably takes longer too to get an ambulance than to get a pizza delivered.
So the lesson learned is if you do call for an ambulance, call for a Pizza afterwards so you don't get hungry waiting?
Thanks OP, this is a nice question/post…. We all should be aware of this….
Be wary of false witnesses. I was a passenger in a car collision and I am posting on behalf of the driver. The incident was as follows:
Turning right from street onto road. Speed limit of said road is 50kmph. Visibility for oncoming traffic is barely 50m as it was at the apex of the hill. No vehicle in sight while I was making my right turn and then I see an approaching vehicle. As quick as my reaction time allowed, I hit the gas pedal but my rear doesn't clear the road, I got hit.
Both cars involved were moved (driven, implying the cars can still run) into the street in which I pulled out of. A third car tagged along. I defended that the car that hit me was speeding as there was no way I could have avoided the incident. The damage to the rear end of my car was extensive and his car had a shattered wind screen. He also covered the 50m of visible oncoming road in what seemed like a second.
The third driver of the third car approached us immediately after, interrupted, and gave his version of the story which was to the effect of, "I saw you pull out in oncoming traffic. You need to pay this guy. I am the witness and I am willing to stay for the police record". As no one was injured, a police record was unnecessary, and I don't think the police will do anything other than take statements and pictures. As I live a few doors from where we stopped, I offered to get my camera and take the pictures. When I came back with my camera, the driver that hit me has left with his car. The witness stayed. I wasn't able to photograph his car. The witness repeated his statement, which I did not ask him to. He referred to the person who hit me by name and made remarks about how that driver was very safe. It became apparent to me that this is his friend.
Fast forward to my correspondence with the insurance company, the statement by the "witness" became the record of the incident. There was so much fabricated crap in there but because he was supposedly unbiased, his word was gold. My insurance ended up paying for an engine rebuild, power steering, power windows, all cosmetic damage, a set of wheels and tires, sound system and timing belt. My insurance company claimed to have forked out >$15,000 as the other person's ute was only several months old.
Some basic investigative work gave me all the information I needed to know where this person lives and where his car was being serviced at (scary, I know, I also wondered why it was this easy). I inspected the vehicle as it was not worked on yet and was parked outside the workshop. I can see the windows are manual, the wheels are not the slightest bit damaged and looking into the ute, there was nothing wrong with anything inside. I am not a mechanic but I drain my own brake fluids, have changed my sound system (not just the head unit, but completely) and I know I was taken for a ride and this guy is making upgrades and the mechanics were profiting from this as well.
My access was set at the lowest but the entire affair, including the raise in my premium over several years, ended up costing me round about $5000. I had to pass up on a great deal for a nice car because the insurance wouldn't insure me. I lost countless hours pursuing the insurance company to investigate. I was tempted to get lawyers involved but on the advice of a lawyer friend, it was not worth the trouble.
I cut my losses and learnt my lesson. Don't trust the witness and take a walk around video shot as soon as you get out of your car.
As I live a few doors from where we stopped, I offered to get my camera and take the pictures
Perhaps this emphasises the importance/how handy it is to have a smart phone with a decent camera.
This happened about 8 years ago if memory served me right and I am sure even camera phones were fairly common then, I was still using one of them black and white screen Nokia that could survive the apocalypse. Everyone in my family did. One still does.
A link to the Whirlpool discussion, may be helpful…..http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/automotive_accident
relax, don't get anxious or angry.
people spill coffee, people make bad judgements while driving. same thing.put hazard light on.
to warn other drivers.- make sure no one's injured
put your first aid kit to use, call an ambulance in case someone is injured. - take photos
its sometimes best to take photos at the crash location before moving vehicles. makes for good evidence in case there is conflict about who is at fault. but this may not always be safe and possible, so use your good judgement. - get driver details.
car rego, make, model, driver's licence, contact number, insurance company, etc - involve police if you think the other party is intoxicated.
it could have been saved if the other driver was in his full senses. - never admit fault on scene
as you might be in shock and might not be thinking straight.
Grab smartphone.
Check that you aren't missing out on any OB deals, because it is moments such as this when the best deals are posted.
I had an accident the other night, crashed into a guardrail unfortunately. Yes, completely my fault. However during the ensuing chaos that included me evaluating the damage and trying to work out what to do and how to get my car out (had to tow it out), I left my phone inside the car and a friendly passer by, decided to help me out by stealing my phone right out of the car while I was distracted and then drove off.
Rule 1: People suck.
That would have been very handy to get on film (dash cam). I hope you gave a good description to the Police and your phone has GPS tracking. What a creep; bring on the karma!
Or might be another item to be stolen!!! Yes there a lot of scums out there stealing from people in distress…
Agreed people suck.
Brother had an accident a few years ago. Witness was nice enough to pull over to see if he was ok (had a concussion and was in shock). Witness asked to use his phone as he didnt have one. Was very nice and called the police and ambulance but then decided to steal the phone, wallet and keys.
While I am greatful for them getting help talk about kick someone while they are down.
First thing to do is finish your beer - it will help calm you down in a stressful situation and will quench your thirst before exchanging details.
Excellent tip.
Also, if you don't have a beer open, crack one open and drink half of it, making sure you leave the other half in the passenger seat before the police arrive.
- Correction, leaving the other half in the other cars driver seat before the police arrive.
In which case their insurance won't cover them; bad idea methinks.
Unless the laws changed recently, in SA you can legally drink and drive as long as you keep under 0.05
In Victoria they added a law about open alcohol within reach of the driver. Not really sure why to be honest.
- Make sure you and your family is safe and turn on hazard lights. Only get out of car when it is safe to do so.
- Note rego, make and model of other party's car.
- Get driver details, name, address and insurer, preferably licence number too..
- If anyone is injured or damage likely > $2,500 call police.
- Take photos of crash scene and of any damage to vehicles.
- Extract and record a confession of fault from the other driver.
- If you have comprehensive insurance give all details to your insurer, else send letter of demand to other driver and insurer.
If you are drunk then dispose of keys and walk to nearest pub and quickly consume some alcohol then return to scene of accident. When police arrive explain that you have been drinking but only after the accident and not before.
"If you are drunk then dispose of keys and walk to nearest pub and quickly consume some alcohol then return to scene of accident. When police arrive explain that you have been drinking but only after the accident and not before."
Sounds like a good way to add some criminal charges to an already bad situation. The police aren't dumb and are likely to interview bar staff or even ask for CCTV footage to verify if someone has clearly tried to cover up their drink driving. From the evidence they'll know how much alcohol was consumed and will be able to estimate whether realistically it was added to your system afterwards or was there beforehand. Police are well aware of mouth alcohol, system alcohol, how quickly each reading subsides, etc.
Remember also that insurance companies will not cover you if drink driving. No ifs, no buts.
And so they shouldn't. They are there for accidents, not idiots who think drinking and driving is a bloody great idea.
in QLD you will also be charged with failing to remain at an accident.
Get the other vehicles number plate as without this not much can be done, then pull over where it it safe to do so and swap drivers details.
The only reason to call police is in NSW:
1. Someone injured or killed
2. Someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs
3. A vehicle has to be towed away
4. The other vehicle has left the scene.If it fits one of these criteria's then it is considered a major vehicle collision and someone will be charged. If you still wish to report it when its a minor vehicle collision then you can call 131 444, police reporting line.
Also there there are no such things as a car accident as there is always someone in the wrong.
In SA the police should be called if the accident caused damage over $X, where X used to be $500 but is now probably more. Don't call the emergency number unless someone has been injured or there's another threat to property or safety. Insurance companies usually ask for a police report number. If you're in the clear in the accident this is a very good thing to have, as you don't pay excess and there's no wrangling through courts later on.
Consider fitting a dashboard video camera. These only cost around $50 and could save you a lot of hassle.
Move vehicles to the side of the road if safe to do so. Most accidents are rear enders so this isn't too much to ask for. Other road users will thank you. Generally in an accident the police come by, take statements, and breath test every driver regardless of fault in the accident. Insurance companies won't cover you if you blow over the limit. Beware. Get the details of the other drivers and take photos of every car involved in the accident just in case. Call to have the vehicles towed away and when you're home contact your insurance company. If you have comprehensive insurance they'll take care of everything for you.
Dont move the cars before you take pictures. Take pictures from all 4 angles of the accident. Then from all 4 angles of the cars involved both inside and outside , including engine and interior.
I also learned my lesson, got involved in a accident in which on the side of the car was scraped. The mechanic quoted $3500 for repairs and the car was only a 1999 Mitsubishi Magna with over 200K km on it. The car wasnt worth $2k.
Ended up costing me $2500 out of pocked.
how can you deal with ridiculous claims by the other driver though :/
My advice, take pictures, the clearer they are the better, get his details, give him yours, thats about it.
This link (http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/fe0dcd0041c96d3984739… ) is an RACV "Checklist" that may be helpful. But basically:
1 - Take photo of the damage, including other vehicle(s) registration. If possible I would try and get the rego label (if there is one) or the VIN (which is on a clear section of the windscreen). This avoids someone giving false details and having stolen plates.
2 - Get other parties details - directly off their licence, and take a photo.
3 - If you believe the other party is intoxicated or affected by drugs, or unlicensed, call 000. Also call if their is damage to someone elses property who isnt there, there is major damage or major hazards, an injury, or if the other party leaves the scene.
4 - Document the accident - exact location, your version of events, draw a diagram. Obtain independent witness details if possible.
If safe to do so, move your vehicle off the road, but only after you have an image of the scene, as this will help in the case of contested claims.
The key is to try and stay safe - so hazards on, don't walk into traffic etc.
What if you or the other person involved in the accident don't have insurance?
then your f**ked
The insurance company with sell the debt to a collection agency.
If you have insurance it might not matter, make your claim as normal. Some third party policies don't let you claim not at fault for your own car, so you will need to chase the other party for the money (can take them to court if they don't pay).
If you don't have insurance you shouldn't be driving. Expect to pay a large bill.
That is why you should have comprehensive car insurance; to protect yourself against them. Then your vehicle is repaired and it is up to your insurance company to chase the other driver. You may be called on behalf of your insurance company (as you are first hand witness) to attend court to help them recover costs from the other driver. This happened to me … which is when the (ex) taxi driver called up one of his taxi driver mates to act as witness. The ex taxi driver was trying to overtake on the inside when he hit me … but said he was parked." In a single turning lane! Bit difficult in court to prove the "witness" was not at the scene. Although they stated they did not know each other the "witness" referred to the ex taxi driver by nickname! That's court for you. It was up to the barristers to prove the witness was not there but he wouldn't back down on his "story" even though he protested loudly he would not attend another court hearing over the matter. It was nice to see them squirm in court (very enjoyable actually), so if you are ever in such a situation it is not always bad news! I'd do it again and again.
It is very important if u can to take photos of damage to vehicle and obtain details of other driver and witnesses. Probably best to see other driver'a licence given that will provide you with real identity of driver. Take down rego too.
If you have a in car camera and it's your fault, get rid of it.
When the cops come say only one thing
"Just waiting for a mate"
It is one thing to not admin fault. It is another to withhold and/or destroy evidence. Hope you like criminal charges.
so if the accident is small, don't call the police, and if its big call the police??
If it is small, you can drive to the road side and the police don't need to be involved.
If it is big, and you need a tow-truck, you will also need the police.
If you injure someone, including your passengers, you need the police.
If it is huge, call your lawyer first…
Here's one more tip from recent experience (in NSW):
If both cars are driveable after the accident, DO NOT use a tow truck. The reason is that the moment a tow truck is used, the incident is classified as a 'Major Collision' and has to be compulsorily reported to the police (by the tow truck driver). Once a police case is logged, the police has to mandatorily issue a fine and demerit points to the driver deemed to be at fault. So, the driver at fault will not just have to pay the excess, they will need to pay the fine as well.
Tow truck drivers try to convince you to tow your car, 'just in case' the suspension or wheels are damaged. They tell you that insurance will cover your costs, which it will. But the moment you use a tow truck, you set in place a series of events which will result in one of the drivers copping a fine and demerit points (the fine is not covered by insurance).
So, if you are the driver at fault, do your best to convince the other party not to use a tow truck (provided the vehicle is driveable).
If you do this, it's probably a good idea to drive it the shortest distance to a mechanic or something. You can have an accident and think the car is fine to drive, but structurally it may not be.
this is one of the reasons that older drivers (75+ years) are claimed to be unsafe. if they are involved in an accident then they are likely to call for a tow truck. also short distant bias - people are more likely to crash on shorter distance trips and older drivers don't take as long trips. i.e. usually just down to the shops.
also short distant bias - people are more likely to crash on shorter distance trips
So you have a source for this? And is it adjusted for the fact that most trips are shorter?
I also wonder if that is over time or over distance (ie: long highway driving covers a long distance in 10 mintues where you might spend hours driving in the middle of the city).
So you have a source for this?
for short trips/driver risk and explanation of bias towards older drivers- see Langford, Fitzharris, Newstead & Koppel, 2004
And is it adjusted for the fact that most trips are shorter?
mostly. I read the article a while ago. one of its points was that older people mainly/mostly make shorter trips. this partially is due to their own conscious acknowledgement that they believe they may not be safe drivers any longer, also they may not have a need to drive longer distances - that is, they just go to the shops.
I also wonder if that is over time or over distance (ie: long highway driving covers a long distance in 10 mintues where you might spend hours driving in the middle of the city).
there is a plethora of material on all these points and driving behaviours in general. it is an entire field of psychology.
obviously experience impacts on accident rates. there is significant U shape in accidents rates by age. for the young -it is lack of experience, poor judgement, bad decision making. for older drivers - as inferred above, there is significant skewing of results due to short distance bias as well as the greater need of ambulance or tow truck calling which elevates the incidences of reported crashes.
Kaarin J. Anstey at Australian National University and Joanne Wood at Queensland University of Technology(QCARRS) do a lot of research with aged drivers.
Do you actually lose demerit points for crashing into someone? I know you can for "not giving particulars" which I assume is details to the other driver: $304 and 3 big bad points.
http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/index.cgi?fuseaction=demer…
EDIT: I'd imagine it'd be difficult to convince the other driver to not use a tow-truck particurlarly if you yourself are at fault. "Nah mate dw bout it, just a scratch - she's all good". If I was the victim I would probably want to take every precuation possible: tow-truck, police if necessary..
Probably not for hitting them exactly, but certainly for whatever it was you did that caused the accident.
Yes, you can. My wife got 2 demerit points and a fine for 'failing to give way while reversing' out of a car parking spot. It was her fault, but it was a really low speed collision with hardly any damage to both cars. However, because the other driver was elderly, he decided to call a tow truck after my wife had exchanged details and left the scene. It got classed as a 'major collision' and the police turned up at home a week later, acknowledged how stupid the law was, but claimed they had no discretion once a tow truck was involved. They issued the fine and demerit points in spite of it being a really minor bingle.
If you're in an accident, make sure to read the below vicroads pages on the maximum charges they can place on you and your consumer rights. Contact the Vicroads help team if you have any issues, as they are strict and they are excellent at keeping them in check.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 9881 8787Your rights: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/using-t…
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i would suggest never move your car to the side after an accident unless you take a pic of the rego, drivers car, and license of the other driver. got rear ended once so moved over to the side to let traffic pass and the f**ker drove off!
- Pull out phone
- take a picture
- Upload to Instagram with vintage filter
- ?????
- Profit
Not 100% related to this discussion, but I have a question of my own.
I haven't been lucky enough to go accident free - I was rear ended while sitting stationary at lights last December.
Being a P plater, I only have CTP Fire & Theft insurance, which shouldn't matter, because this incident was fairly clearly not my fault.
Both of us pulled over and parked our cars on the nature strip, I told him to take photos for insurance reasons, and I took photos to match, and he requested a photo of my licence, I have one of his (front only, but there was no change of address on his - there was on mine…)
He even asked for my mobile number and called it on the spot, so we could share details "later that evening". I tried to call that night - no answer. I have called dozens of times & left messages about once a week since, he has iMessages enables with read receipts, so I know he can see them.
As this was not a hit & run, I couldn't go to the police, as it was a 'civil matter'.I live in the ACT.
Has anyone been in this situation before? I can't contact him, that car is unroadworthy and I had to buy another before I could get mine repaired or drive it, as I was told to wait to repair my car until he contacted me.
My car (at the time) was a recent(ish) model, his car was almost new, and quite expensive, so I doubt money is a real issue in this.
First thing to do is call your insurance company and work out if they will take care of it for you.
If they do, problem solved.
If they don't you are left having to chase up the money. Can't give you good advice on this sorry.
The post states that they don't have comprehensive insurance - so they can't call their insurance company.
To AlexD, the question is did you get the name of his insurer? If so, ring them and chase it up and bypass chasing the driver. If not, always remember to ask for it. I'm also confused about not being able to log the incident with the police, from the sounds of it, your car being put into an 'unroadworthy' condition sounds more then just a bump - but never having lived in the ACT, I don't know how they do things down there.
The other way is to send a letter to the address and state that if you don't receive a satisfactory reply within 7 days, you will instruct a solicitor to commence legal proceedings to recover costs (you will need quotes to quantify your damages at that stage) with those costs being borne by him on an indemnity basis (that will be a little tricky - which is why the letter is important to show they acted unreasonably resulting in additional costs being incurred).
Good luck.
The post states that they don't have comprehensive insurance - so they can't call their insurance company.
Why not? Some policies will cover you if not at fault (ie: get the cash out of the other party). You should at least check.
Well if you can acquire, information from any witnesses you will find that if there is any most will not wish to be involved. Cab motorists, do seem to be able to generate other taxi motorists, as witnesses out of slim air in court.
My main tip is that if it is safe to do so, move your car off to the side of the road.
I've seen it many times where there has been a very minor bump and the people involved get out of the car and stand around making phone calls while their cars are still in traffic and causing congestion.
It creates further hazards for other drivers and yourself if you're still on the road.