SOME FAMILIES have not yet set off for their annual holiday – especially those catering for the end-of-the-year rush – but they too will be worried about the possibility of a road crash en route.
The unfortunate truth, says MasterDrive’s bossman Eugene Herbert, is that it can still happen so imagine a scene where you’re hundreds of kilometres from home with a damaged car and injured passengers.
What do you do?
Herbert says: ”It pays to be prepared. Once you’ve ensured that people and cars are out of the way of a possible second collision check if each person for injuries. If some are hurt call emergency services immediately: DO NOT try to move or treat their injuries yourself.
“However, do move them if they are in harm’s way’- perhaps fuel is dripping near them – but never assist someone without first obtaining their or a fellow passenger’s permission.
”Also be cautious of assuming passengers and drivers are not injured because they are conscious and responding. If somebody is dizzy or not feeling right, rather call emergency services.”
Once you’ve attended to the injured switch your attention to the vehicles.
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“Luckily, most of the decisions have been removed from you as insurance companies have specific processes to follow. The key is to understand what your insurance provider wants you to do and have the necessary numbers and apps saved or downloaded on your phone before you leave home.
”Unfortunately, valuable items can disappear in the hub-bub after a crash so keep this information somewhere else in the car.”
SOME OTHER STEPS TO FOLLOW
You yourself might be unresponsive so keep emergency contact numbers, medical aid details, and any other essential information taped to a sun visor or a window.
Before moving any vehicles take images of site from various angles and other of the vehicles – and do it as soon as possible for insurance purposes.
Swop details or photograph the other drivers paperwork: insurance details, for instance. Record as many details as possible, among them date, time, weather conditions, location, type of road on which the crash occurred (intersection or highway, direction each vehicle was travelling.
GETTING ANGRY NOT GOOD
Try to recall details such us whether the driver was on their phone or possibly intoxicated.
Difficult as it might be, stay calm.
“Getting angry with other drivers or panicking,” Herbert said, ”serves no purpose, especially if others are injured. Accept that it happened and handle the situation as best as you can”
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