Cedric
Stephens QUESTION: I am a female driver. I do not have a clue what I should do in the event that I am involved in a motor vehicle accident. Can you please advise me?
- M. W., May Pen P.O., Clarendon.
Answer: You asked me to reply directly to you. This is, I suppose, for reasons of privacy. I respect your need. I am, however, publishing your question. I believe that your need to conceal your identity and the public need to know my response to this question are not mutually exclusive. Both can be served. For this reason, neither your real initials nor address has been stated. This way, only both of us know your correct name, initials and the town in which you live. Had I complied with your request exactly, the situation would have been the same. In spite of this, I hope that you do not feel that I have "dissed" you.
There are many male drivers who do not know what to do in the event of an accident. Gender has nothing to do with it. The starting point to doing the correct things begin with your motor policy. You should know what it says about making a claim. Here is what a typical policy says:
Give written notice to the insurer as quickly as possible after an accident. [This means complete a claim form].
Send every letter, claim or writ of summons that you receive in connection with the accident to your insurer at once.
Tell insurers immediately "upon having any knowledge of any impending prosecution, inquest, or any fatal inquiry."
Give immediate notice to the police in case of theft or any other criminal act.
Do not admit liability or offer to promise to pay any person with whom you may be involved in an accident - without insurer's consent.
Take reasonable measures to safeguard the vehicle.
As you can see, the policy does not provide complete instructions. What one does in a particular situation depends on the type of accident. Here are a few scenarios and some recommendations of actions that should be taken - in addition to complying with the terms of your policy.
Accident involving
personal injuries:
Do not panic and try to maintain a calm approach.
Get emergency medical assistance for the injured.
Obtain the names, addresses and particulars of injured.
Get the names and addresses of witnesses.
If you have a camera take photographs of the scene, road signs, markings and other factors that may have influenced events. If a camera is not available, draw a plan of the location showing road measurement and the position of your vehicle.
Contact the police and ask them to visit the scene.
File a report with the police as soon as possible.
Accident involving a
collision between two
or more vehicles:
Obtain the name and ad-dress of the driver.
Examine the driver's licence [or other IDs], certificate of insurance [or cover note], certificate of registration and other particulars of the other vehicle. [The aim is to satisfy yourself about the names and addresses of the driver/owner of the other vehicle and that it is insured].
Make a diagram of the scene of the accident or take photographs.
Examine the other vehicle very carefully and make a record of the damage it sustained.
File a report with the nearest police station as quickly as possible.
If there were witnesses record their names and addresses.
Ask your car dealer or garage to prepare an estimate for repairing your vehicle and send it to your insurer, assuming that your vehicle is comprehensively insured.
You would obviously combine the two sets of guidelines if you were involved in a mishap involving persons and vehicles. Planning for motor vehicle accidents makes good sense. I suggest that you review the claims conditions in your motor policy and review the procedures with the claims manager of your insurer. You never know when this information will become useful.
Cedric E. Stephens is the founder of INSURANCE HELP-LINE, a telephone-based advisory service, and the co-host of Risky Business, a radio programme that deals with risks and insurance. If you need free advice, write to The Financial Editor or, contact Mr. Stephens at aegis@cwjamaica.com.
