What to Do If You Are Involved In a Motor Vehicle Accident?

There were 1,134 road deaths in the year ending January 2022 in Australia. It represents a 2.3 per cent rise over the 12-month period ending in Jan 2021. At the moment, the yearly death rate per 100,000 people is 4.4 in the country.

The most worrying part is that the number of car accidents in Australia continues to increase; moreover, the number of individuals who suffered critical injuries as a result of a car accident also increased. Due to their injuries, many of these people were unable to work for weeks, some even months. Undoubtedly, this had a negative impact on their financial situation. 

While you’d like to avoid being in the same boat as these people, the statistics tell us that the chances of that happening are minimal. So, the next best thing you can do is find out what you should be doing if you are ever involved in a motor vehicle or car accident.

Lucky for you, we provide the answers right here. Do the following in the exact order specified if you get involved in a car accident in Australia. 

  • Check If Anyone is Injured and Get Help If Required

Before doing anything else, check if anyone is injured, and if required, get help as soon as possible.  Since you are likely to be in a state of shock for a while after the accident, it may take you some time to notice that you—or another person involved in the crash—is injured. 

If the injury is serious, call 000 as soon as you become aware of what has happened. Also, unless it is affecting the flow of traffic, don’t move your Suzuki Jimny or another car you own from the crash site. It is because moving your car may remove any evidence that could later help you in your insurance or personal injury claim.

  • Call the Police and Let Them Know What Happened

Regardless of the nature or severity of your injuries, you should call the police and let them know what happened. It is because reporting an accident to the Police is required by the law in several states if the accident results in death or injury.

It is not mandatory to notify the police about every car accident that occurs in many states. However, you need to call the police right away if you’re involved in a collision or hit-and-run that has resulted in personal or property loss worth a specific amount, such as $3000 in Western Australia (WA). 

Reporting a car accident to the police is crucial, even if it happens to be a minor one. It is especially important if you’ve suffered an injury, and the accident is due to the negligence of the other party involved. 

  • Gather Any Evidence That You Can

After you call the police and inform them about what happened, take pictures at the scene of the accident or gather any evidence that can strengthen your case before it is removed by the police or another party. Taking pictures of the accident scene or making a video of the crash site will help you greatly if and when you claim damages.

  • Get the Contact Information of the Other Driver Involved in the Accident

Exchange your phone number and any other important contact details with the other party involved in the accident. However, avoid interacting with the driver beyond this.  Do not confess your mistake or say something that could be misinterpreted as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

  • Contact Your Lawyer

After you have gotten medical treatment for any injuries, reported the accident to the police, gathered all the evidence that you find, and exchanged contact information with the other party involved, the next step would be contacting an injury lawyer within your proximity.

Filing a lawsuit for a car crash in most parts of Australia is relatively easy. Despite this, you could face a lot of problems in successfully filing a personal injury claim and getting fair compensation for your injuries if you decide to go solo. 

Therefore, you must seek legal assistance from an injury lawyer who has handled similar cases in the past. Doing this will significantly increase your chances of successfully filing a lawsuit for a car crash, especially when you’re sure that you’re not the one at fault for the accident.

  • Contact Your Insurance Provider

Once you have talked to an experienced injury lawyer and taken their advice on how to pursue your case, you can get in touch with your insurance provider to begin the insurance claim process. Call your insurance company to tell them what happened and find out what is needed to get an insurance claim.

Contact the insurance provider as soon as you can after the accident. Your insurer will evaluate your case to assess the severity of the damage and identify the guilty party. Based on this evaluation, the insurance provider will make an insurance payout.

Final Word

There is physical, financial, and emotional pain attached to a motor vehicle accident. While making a claim for damages and getting the due compensation won’t undo the wound and pain of the accident, it’ll at least alleviate some of your financial responsibility. 

If you are ever involved in a motor vehicle accident in Australia, then you must follow the steps mentioned above to avoid or minimize legal liability and get fairly compensated for personal or property loss suffered due to the car accident.

 

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