It is always good to be prepared for an accident. Having a checklist of action steps can help you know what is most important to do at a car-accident scene. But just as important, it is what you don’t do at the scene that can be most beneficial.
As I posted last week, if anyone is injured in the car accident, be sure to call 911 immediately. Assuming everyone at the scene of the accident can walk and talk, here is a list of things to remember:
- Do not leave the scene of an accident. Even if your good intentions are to report the accident later, leaving the scene of a car accident in British Columbia is against the motor vehicle act. Section 68 outlines the full details of the Duty of A Driver.
- Do not move your vehicle, unless it is a major obstruction to traffic. If you feel you have to move it, take as many pictures as possible from all angles before you move the car. If you don’t have a smart phone or camera with you, ask a witness if they can take pictures for you
- Do not admit fault for any part of the accident. Leave that up to the experts to determine. Even if you think you may be to blame, don’t take the Canadian approach and be polite. Just be quiet.
- Don’t miss the details. Pay attention to the way the other person is acting. Also take a look in the car. Is a cell phone in plain view? Are there open food or beverage containers? This could be a sign of distracted driving.
- Don’t underestimate the extent of your injuries if you have been hurt. Now is not the time to be a martyr. If you feel that you may have a concussion, internal injuries, or whiplash, call an ambulance. Err on the side of caution.
We want to hear from you: share your “At the Scene of A Car Accident” story. Write us today or post a comment.
Next week come back for: Top Five Things to do After Leaving a Crash Site.
