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It doesn’t matter how minor a car accident is; you’ll still need to know what to do after a minor car accident. Many complications can follow your accident, and you should be aware of the possibilities. 

Accidents can be as minor as a fender-bender or leaving your car as a write-off, but you need to know what to do after the ordeal has occurred.

The frustration comes from the process after the accident. Needing a case number at the police station, informing your car insurance, to having repairs done. The steps are time-consuming and stressful.

Also, you have just experienced a traumatic event that will cost money and time and possibly cause injuries. Be kind to yourself. Bad things happen, and all you can do is deal with everything and move forward.  As long as you abide by the law, you will overcome the situation in due time. 

In the event of a car or vehicle accident or breakdown, The iER App is 100% FREE to download to your smart device – to call for a tow truck, an ambulance or the police. The app will find your GPS location automatically.

iER uses your mobile internet connection to receive your alerts, chat with you and update you with your alert status.

Move Your Vehicle Off The Street

After a minor accident, stop your car and move it out of the way. For the sake of road safety, the AA says you must switch on your hazards to warn other drivers about the accident. Pull your car off as far to the side as possible. It is even better if you can move your vehicle to an accessible parking area.

If you are unable to move the car, call a towing service linked to your car insurance or use a towing service on-site. 

Check For Injuries

When it is safe, see whether anyone has been hurt, including you. If a commuter or pedestrian has been injured or property is damaged, it is a South African road law for you to stay at the scene until the police arrive. 

You can be criminally charged if you were the cause of the accident and brought upon any injuries. You are morally obligated to help an injured person in a car accident as a bystander. You can contact the ambulance or rescue unit. It doesn’t matter if the injuries look minor; you still have to make the call. Administer first aid if you are qualified; if not, just stay near the person.

Never Accept Blame Or Fault For The Accident

When involved in a minor accident, do not accept the blame for the accident without a lawyer present. Do not offer the other driver a statement of fault, or apologise because it implies you are accountable for what happened.

Rather be calm and courteous until the proper authorities arrive. 

Even if you feel partially responsible for the minor accident, experts advise that you never admit fault because sometimes your natural empathy can create a false narrative in your head.

It is a good idea to allow the authorities to come to their own conclusions while you answer questions honestly and in a straightforward manner. 

Take Photos Or Videos Of The Incident

The last thing you want to do is disrupt traffic, which is why you need to move your car off the road.

However, before you do that, document the positions of the affected vehicles by taking photographs or marking the street with chalk or spray paint. 

After assessing injuries, take as many photos of the cars at the accident scene because it can be a crucial piece of evidence that you can use to determine that you aren’t at fault.

You can take videos of both cars too from various angles, as well as where the accident occurred and its surroundings. 

Contact Authorities And File An Accident Report

In the event of a minor accident, always call the proper authorities, even if the other person involved does not agree.

You can also contact the emergency unit and have a police officer dispatched to the scene, even if it isn’t an urgent situation. 

Tell the dispatcher that you were in a minor accident, but no one was injured. Dispatch will know not to send an ambulance, but only a police officer who can write the accident report.

By making this decision, you are safeguarding your legal rights for insurance and personal reasons. 

When you report the accident to your insurance, they will note that an official accident was reported, and you can cover your damages.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

Call your insurance provider once initial actions have been taken. It does not matter which driver is responsible for the accident.

By calling your insurer, you protect yourself and possible claims made against you. 

Get Contact Or Insurance Information From Anyone Involved

After an accident occurs you need to record all the information of everyone involved in the accident – including personal details, registration numbers, tow truck information and insurance details. 

Write down road names, landmarks, intersections and robots because you will need to draw a sketch and write a description for your police report and insurer. 

Also, get the following information from the other person:

• Full names ( This includes their first and middle names and initials and surnames),
• ID number,
• Car registration number,
• Address,
• Cellphone number and further telephone contact details,
• Insurance information,
• Make, model and the colour of the other vehicle,
• Date and time of car crash, and
• Details of any eyewitnesses.

Remember To Stay Safe Next Time

Always be the best driver for you and others. Remember to abide by the K53 and the rules of the road. Keep in mind that everything can change in a split second.

Reckless driving doesn’t just inconvenience others and yourself but can lead to injury and death. 

Always wear your seatbelt, and never drive under the influence of any substances.