STEPS TO FOLLOW IF INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT

Car accidents happen at the rate of hundreds a day in present day South Africa

Some just a fender bender; others serious accidents where people are seriously injured and/or killed. We all hope never to be involved in a car accident, but if we are, what must we do?.

Here is FM Attorneys guidelines in the eventuality of an accident :

1). If someone is seriously injured or killed in a vehicle accident, it must be reported to the police within 24 hours.

2). If you fail to do this you may be issued with a written notice to appear in court where you will have to give an acceptable explanation for having failed to do so; as it is a criminal offence to fail to report an accident.

3). For both legal and insurance purposes; it is always advisable to report any car accident; even if it is only a fender bender to the police and even if nobody was injured. You will need a police reference number for your insurance company anyway.

4). Generally speaking; it is acceptable to report the matter to the police on the first working day after the collision took place.

5). If however you are involved in a collision and you suspect that the driver of the other vehicle was drunk or intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic; you should contact the police immediately; as they will have to test him within two hours of the time of the collision to successfully prove drunken driving or driving under the influence.

6). You can report the accident to any police officer at any police station, and it does not have to be the one nearest the accident scene.

7). You must report it in person and you must provide proof of your identity and your driver’s licence if you were a driver at the time of the accident.

In the part 2/3 of this article series , we will look at other often asked questions regarding motor vehicle accidents and claims. We will further delve into RAF applications if an accident resulted in income loss or serious bodily damage.

Send all accident related questions to: info@frankmorganattorneys.co.za