Posted: 28/10/2019
Who to call when you’ve had a car accident
If you drive a car, chances are you will be involved in some sort of a road incident at some stage of your life. They are not fun, it can be a pretty confusing and stressful time. So who should you call if you’ve had a crash? My parent/partner/friend? Do I call my insurance company? Who is my insurance company? You should just make one call. To Sunshine Toyota. We are here to help and to make the process simple and stress-free for you.
We want this to be easy for you, so stay calm and here’s what to do:
Park your car in a safe spot
Ok, so the first thing you need to do is make sure your car is stopped in a safe place. If it is dark or raining, put your hazard lights on so that you are visible to other drivers. Clear the road of any traffic hazzards that may have dislodged during the accident (like bumpers or side mirrors)- but only if it is safe to do so.
Did you know… In Australia it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of a car accident. So don’t do that!
Check on the other people involved
If you are not too badly injured, now is the time to check on the people around you. Are they ok? If there is someone who is injured, do not try to move him or her unless they are in danger (like in the middle of the road).
Call for help
How do I know when to call 000?
If you answer yes to any of these, call 000
- Is anybody injured?
- Are any of the drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
- Is there serious damage?
- Did somebody leave the scene of the accident?
- Is anyone refusing to give you their details?
Exchange details with other people involved
HERE IS WHERE SUNSHINE TOYOTA MAKES THINGS SIMPLE FOR YOU
Head to our website www.sunshinetoyota.com.au and click on the red picture of a car crash. We have a form there with all the information you will need to collect at the scene of the accident- so you don’t have to remember anything!
Take photos of the scene, damage to cars and injuries if possible.
Our team will take it from there!
Once you submit the form with the accident details our team will call you to arrange everything else.
- Organise a tow truck: We will do this for you.
- Collect you from the scene of the crash: We will send an Uber to collect you.
- Organise a loan vehicle for you: Consider it done.
- Repair your vehicle: We will take care of this. Did you know that Sunshine Toyota is the ONLY certified Toyota Smash Repair on the Sunshine Coast?
Make an accident report
It is the law that all major accidents that did not involve police must be reported within 24 hours. A major accident means someone was hurt, a vehicle was taken by a tow truck, the damages are expensive (over $3,000) or details were not exchanged.
Although it is not required by law to report minor incidents, it is a smart idea to because sometimes the insurance companies will ask for the police report number.
Our team will email you all of the information you submitted at the scene of the accident so you have it ready for your accident report. Easy!
Contact your insurance company
If you have taken out car insurance for your vehicle, you will need to call them immediately. Sometimes part of their service is to call the tow truck for you (check your policy). The insurance company will require the same information you collected earlier.
Car accidents can be stressful and confusing. The process of gathering all the required information will be helped if you can try to remain calm.
Here is a link to traffic crash FAQ in QLD.