What To Do In The Event Of An Accident

If you have an accident

On the roads of the UK more than 3000 people die a year in car crashes – and more than 30,000 suffer serious injuries.

Even a minor road collision can be extremely scary and stressful. So here is some advice we hope will help you if you are involved in an accident, both at the scene of the crash and the aftermath.

Practical Advice

• Firstly you should attend to the safety of yourself, then start to think about others. Try to encourage anybody that is unharmed to get to a place of safety. If it is safe then make sure you immobilize vehicles and check for other dangers like debris or fuel leaks.
• Always remain calm in the situation of a crash. Make sure you put your own safety first. Bear in mind that trying to be the hero and rushing to others assistance could make the situation worse.
• Don’t assume that the emergency services will have definitely been called. Its better for them to have received three or four calls reporting the same accident than none at all!
• Warn oncoming traffic by using hazard lights, flashing lights and warning triangles. Reflective clothing is also a good idea if available.

The Law

Not all traffic collisions need to be reported. In most minor incidents the crash can be dealt with by a simple exchange of details between the various people involved.

The Road Traffic Act (1988) states that when involved in an accident that causes injury or damage to any person, vehicle, animal or property, then you must stop to give your name, address and the vehicle registration number to anybody who has reasonable grounds to require them.

Casualties

If involved in a serious accident try to immediately assess how many casualties there are and the seriousness of their injuries. Find out if anybody is trapped and if there is any risk of fire. Always try to find somebody qualified in first aid to assist until paramedics arrive. If there is no one trained in first aid then you should try to help the most seriously injured people, usually in this order:

• Unconscious – Try to open their airway and check for breathing and a pulse.
• Serious Bleeding – Apply direct pressure to the wound. Lift the injured area to reduce blood flow if possible.
• Broken Bones – Keep the injured person as still as possible and try to support the broken bone with a blanket or clothing.

If you are involved in a car accident and cause any damage to your vehicle then come to Car Bodyguard in Havant for the best service in many repair jobs including, scratch repair, wheel repair, bumper repair and accident damage repair!

Please note that these tips are meant for general guidance. We recommend that you learn effective first aid techniques by attending a formal course of instruction. First aid training courses are offered by organisations such as The Red Cross and the St John Ambulance