If you’re a new driver, chances are you’re a bit unsure on the roads. Up until this point, you’ve always had an instructor sitting beside you, giving you advice and able to take control of the vehicle if you do make a wrong move. But now, you’re set loose on the open roads with no supervision. Now, many new drivers may experience small accidents here and there as they get used to navigating their own vehicle. So it’s absolutely essential that you know what to do if you do end up in a bit of scrape! Here’s a step by step guide to get you through!
Stop Your Vehicle
The first step that you need to take in any incident is to stop your vehicle. This is absolutely essential and applies to you no matter what the situation is – whether you’ve hit a pedestrian, hit a pet or other animal, hit another vehicle or hit someone else’s property. If you fail to stop, you will be tracked down and prosecuted. Not to mention the lasting emotional and mental health problems you will face with not knowing if everyone was okay in the situation.
Call for Medical Help
Call for medical help if anyone requires it. A professional will be able to guide you through what to do on the phone until emergency help arrives. You may have to carry out first aid. If the injuries aren’t immediately threatening, you should still ensure that anyone who needs to be treated knows to seek out medical help of their own accord following the incident.
Collect Other Individuals’ Personal Details
Hopefully, there won’t be any immediate emergencies to focus on. If there aren’t, it’s important that you take the personal details of anyone who was involved in the incident. This is largely for insurance purposes, so you can make a claim and not have to fork out the cost of repairs to your vehicle yourself. Details to take include their full name, address, registration number and their insurance details. You could also do with making a note of the make and model of their car and the time and date of the incident for reference. Other important details include whether the vehicle they are driving is their own and, if not, who the registered owner is. You should also ask their policy limits – for example, $25,000 in liability insurance.
Contact a Therapist or Counselor
Being involved in any accident can be a very stressful experience. If you find yourself experiencing ongoing mental or emotional problems following a road incident, it may be a good idea to reach out to a professional therapist or counselor. You can learn more about how licensed therapists and counselors can help strengthen your mental health at BetterHelp.
Hopefully, your driving journey will be seamless and you won’t have to put any of this information to use. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry and to know what to do if you do experience an accident. So, take note!