Nobody likes getting into a car accident, but if you find yourself involved in one, here’s what you need to do

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SINGAPORE

Getting into a car accident is certainly an unpleasant experience, but if you happen to be unfortunate enough to be caught up in one, it’s important to stay calm and not lose your head. Here’s what you need to do in the event you’re involved in a car accident.

1) Check if everyone is alright

The very first thing you should do is to check and make sure everyone is safe, and that nobody is hurt. However, if anyone has suffered any injuries in the accident, the most important thing is to call for an ambulance to convey the injured to hospital for medical assistance. You should also then call the police, who will provide assistance on the next steps.

2) Take pictures of the accident scene

Before moving the vehicles involved, take some pictures of the accident scene, showing clearly where the vehicles are in relation to each other, as well as the extent of the damage to the vehicles. Also take note of details like licence plate numbers, any damage to surrounding objects, as well as date, time, location and road conditions.

If you have an in-car recording camera, remember to save the relevant footage as well. This will help in future liability claims as your insurers will likely use them as evidence to determine who is at fault.

3) Move the vehicles to a safe place

If there are no injuries, the next step to do is to move the vehicles to a safe place to avoid obstructing traffic on the road. Do this only once you have taken the relevant photographic evidence required of the accident scene. If there have been any injuries, wait until the police have arrived before moving any vehicles or injured parties.

If your vehicle has been immobilised, or has sustained significant damage such that it cannot be moved, you may want to call for a tow truck for assistance. In this case, use items such as vehicle warning signs, reflectors or lights to warn other motorists about the accident scene.

4) Exchange particulars

Once the cars have been moved to a safe spot, you should exchange particulars with the other party. The information you should exchange are: full name, NRIC number, contact number and address, vehicle registration number, and details of your respective motor insurance companies. 

If there are any other parties involved, like passengers, pedestrians or eyewitnesses, do get their information and contact details as well.

5) Report to the relevant parties

If the accident has resulted in an injury or death, or if it involved a pedestrian, cyclist, foreign vehicle, or government property or vehicle, you have to make a police report within 24 hours, and then make a report to your motor insurance company, who will advise you on the next steps.

If there are no injuries, you should also report the accident to your motor insurance company within 24 hours, regardless of whether you intend to make a claim or not. This is to ensure that you are covered should the other party choose to claim against you.