1.  Call  an Ambulance/ Seek Medical Treatment
The welfare of those involved in the accident is most important, so call an ambulance straight away if there are serious injuries.  If emergency medical treatment is not required, you should still attend hospital, medical clinic or GP to get your injuries checked out.  When you do, tell your doctor about all of your injuries however trivial they might seem at the time, so that they are recorded.  You should also tell your doctor how the accident happened.
2. Â Notify The Police
Police should be called to the scene in serious circumstances where people have been injured or where a fatality has occurred. If you have been injured, and the police did not come to the scene, you should report the accident at a police station within 28 days. This is a requirement for bringing a personal injury claim.
3. Â Take Photos
Thanks to the advancement of modern technology, it will be easy for you to take photos of the accident, especially if there has been any damage. Motor accident photos of both vehicle damage, the resting point of the vehicles and the road layout provide you with evidence that can be backed up by any other witness testimonies. You can also take pictures of your injuries if they have occurred.
Of course, if there has been an emergency situation, you should act upon this before even considering taking pictures, by dialling 000 as soon as possible.
4. Â Record Details Correctly
After a motor accident, it is in your best interests to tell authorities at the scene the most accurate details possible. If you are uncertain about a particular aspect of the incident, ensure you communicate this to them, otherwise it might be used against you. Motor accidents are high-stress situations so it can be easy to lose your calm and mistake facts or speculate. Avoid this by only sticking to that which you are certain about.
5.  Report the Motor Accident
It is best if you report the accident to your property damage and/or CTP insurance provider as soon as possible – if not straight away. This is likely to be part of your policy, and will serve as an extra piece of evidence if you decide to file a motor accident claim.
Your Legal Obligations After a Motor Accident
If you’ve been involved with a motor accident, you must:
While we don’t like hearing about motor vehicle accidents, especially those of a serious nature, we do like to lend a helpful hand by offering our knowledge and expertise in this often stressful time. There are strict time units for lodging a personal injury claim after a motor vehicle accident. We can guide you through the paperwork and ensure that you lodge your claim correctly and on time, so that you can concentrate on getting better.
If you’re unsure about what else to do or what your legal obligations are after you have been involved in an accident, call Stacks Goudkamp and we will help you get the matter sorted out as smoothly as possible.
