Disclaimer
Content in the safety section provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. You can choose whether to use it or not. For more see Safety Section Disclaimer in Help FAQs.
Guidance
Drive on the road long enough and it is likely you will experience, or be party to a vehicle collision.
Initial response
Stop and turn off your vehicle.
Apply the handbrake.
Switch on your hazard lights.
Check yourself and others for injury. Run your hands along your body. Go slowly at pain points.
If pain is felt in your neck or back, consider remaining in the vehicle, if safe to do so.
Contact emergency services.
Emergency services will ask for injured parties gender, approximate age, whether the person is conscious and/or bleeding, any special circumstances.
Outside the vehicle
Exit the vehicle if it is safe to do so.
Re-check yourself for injury.
If serious injury, emergency services will assist by phone until on scene. If minor, consider self-treating using the first aid kit to triage any injuries.
Put on a high visibility vest. In many European countries it is a legal requirement.
Set up emergency triangles 100ft to 200ft (30m – 61m+) towards oncoming traffic, so vehicles can slow down.
Check on any other parties involved in the incident to identify whether they require medical assistance.
Do not admit fault.
Select the Help button in Ylore and alert selected Contacts with your live location.
Obligations
Your legal obligations differ between jurisdictions.
In some countries, drivers must wait until police arrive.
Generally, parties involved will exchange names, address, driver license number, vehicle registration and insurance information. This includes the insurance policy number and effective date.
Where the driver is not the vehicle’s owner, they must provide the owner’s name and address. If they refuse, contact the police.
Some jurisdictions require drivers involved in vehicle collisions, that involve bodily injury or property damage over a defined threshold, to report the collision to police.
Contact your local police station on your obligations.
If police attend, you may be required to provide a breath alcohol or drug sample. This may be at the scene or within a defined time limit.
If you are unable/unwilling to provide a breath alcohol sample to police or are unable due to injuries, you may be requested to attend a hospital for the purpose of a blood test, to identify whether alcohol or drugs was a factor. This process may be followed for all driver’s involved in a collision involving injuries, regardless of fault.
Additional information
In addition to a full name and address, you should also collect other contact details, including phone numbers, email addresses, and driver’s license numbers of all parties involved in the incident.
Record the registration number, make and model of all vehicles involved, and the driver’s insurance companies.
Record the time, date, and precise street location of the crash, direction of travel.
Take photographs of the scene and vehicle damage, if it is safe to do so.
Record the weather conditions, any obstructions, road signage in the area.
Vehicle unsafe to drive
Organize a tow truck through your insurer, ask police or arrange yourself.
Ask for a booking number or registration number of the tow truck that is to arrive.
Check the business name and details of the tow truck that arrives, against those that were booked.
Transport from the scene
If no medical treatment is required away from the collision site, ask a known person to collect you, or be available for you, when you arrive at your destination.
After a collision, avoid driving if circumstances permit, as you may not be thinking clearly or may be feeling fatigued or unwell. This is as a result of the body’s natural adrenaline, which may have activated during the collision.
After a collision
Collisions can affect people in different ways. If you are feeling medically unwell, consider obtaining medical treatment.
Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs.
After a stressful event, you may experience symptoms that include:
– Disbelief and shock
– Tension and irritability
– Fear and anxiety
– Headaches
– Trouble concentrating
Consider self-care for your well-being including:
-Avoid drugs, alcohol and excessive use of tobacco.
– Find support. Seek help from a partner, family member, friend, counsellor, doctor, or religious person. Having someone with a sympathetic, listening ear and sharing about your problems and stress really can lighten the burden.
– Connect socially. After a stressful event, it is easy isolate yourself. Make sure that you are spending time with loved ones. Consider planning fun activities with your partner, children, or friends.
Take care of yourself through:
– A healthy, well-balanced diet
– Exercise regularly
– Get plenty of sleep
– Maintain a normal routine
– Stay active
– Recognize when you need more help.
If problems continue talk to a psychologist, social worker, or professional counsellor.
If the incident occurred with a work vehicle or during work activities, consider contacting your organizations Human Resources.