Accidents can happen out of the blue and can be very unsettling for everyone involved. At Britton Insurance we ensure our clients have the best insurance policies for their needs, but in times of shock and panic it’s easy to overlook or not know the correct procedures. Here is what you need to do in those initial moments after the accident has occurred.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Car Accident?
When you are involved in a car accident in Ireland, the law mandates that you do a few specific things to begin with. This is the case whether the accident is with another car, a pedestrian or an object along the road.
- Stay at the scene – stop your car safely, turn off the engine and turn the hazard lights on. Do not leave the scene of the accident.
- Take a moment to compose yourself. Even if the collision was small, you are likely to be in shock. Check everyone is ok and call 999 for assistance if anyone is hurt.
- Do not admit fault, apologise or even discuss the accident as you may not know all of the facts of this incident at this point.
- Call the Gardai if you believe that the other driver has deliberately caused the accident, is under the influence of drugs/alcohol, is unlicensed or uninsured, leaves the scene, or if anyone is injured.
- Exchange essential information such as contact information, car insurance details, the date and time of the accident, make/model/registration of the vehicles involved, and the names and addresses of witnesses if any.
- If possible take photos of the damage and the scene.
What to do if your house is affected by…
Storm damage
- Get in touch with a reputable builder straight away to arrange emergency repairs or boarding up,
- Do not dispose of any damaged items until they have been inspected and your claim has been settled. Store in a shed or outhouse if necessary.
- Use a dehumidifier to dry out walls and ceilings.
Water damage
- If the cause is a burst pipe, switch off the water at the mains. Contact a plumber immediately to stop the leak and reduce any further damage.
- If your home starts to flood, try to move your belongings to the upper floors if possible.
- Again, you can remove wet or damaged items from your home, but don’t dispose of them until your claim has been settled.
- Dry out walls and ceilings using dehumidifiers.
Theft
- Don’t touch anything and call the Gardai – if you need to make a claim you’ll need a crime reference number.
- Take photographs of any broken doors and windows, and also of any rooms that have been affected.
- Make a list of everything that is missing, and at a later date find receipts, valuations or photographs of the missing goods to support your list.
Inform your Insurance Company
The next logical thing to do is to inform your insurance provider at the earliest opportunity. Have your policy number to hand and other relevant information, such as the other driver’s details or the crime reference number. It is a good idea to be aware of all of the information in case you happen to be in an accident. Hopefully you will never need it but if you do need to make a claim, then you will know exactly what to do.