Checklist – What to do after an accident
Safety
- To avoid another accident, switch on hazard lights and position your red warning triangle for oncoming traffic at least 100 metres away
Injuries
- Determine whether any of your passengers, other vehicles’ passengers, drivers or pedestrians are injured. If necessary, call paramedics/ambulance. Do not move anyone with severe injuries.
- If any injuries, call SAPS, Law Enforcement or Metro Police
Contact details of other party/parties and witnesses, and emergency vehicles
- Name, surname and physical address
- All contact details – landline, cell number, email address (call cell number on the scene to verify)
- ID number (take photo of ID book or driving licence)
- Full details of all emergency vehicles attending, including tow-trucks, if used
- Supply own details to those parties requiring them
Vehicle details
- Full details of other vehicles – make, model, colour and registration number (licence disc and number plates must match) of all vehicles involved
- Record condition of other vehicle/s – did indicators, brake and headlights of other vehicle/s work before the accident?
Scene of accident
- Correct spelling of street names
- Intersection details – traffic lights, stop streets, yield signs, etc.
- Presence of green flashing arrows giving certain lanes right of way?
- Exact time and date
Weather and Visibility Conditions
- Record weather conditions at the time of the accident
- Is it dawn, daylight, dusk or night time?
- Is the road dry, wet, or slippery
- Is the road in good condition?
- Road surface tar, gravel or concrete?
- Are there any potholes or ridges?
- Are painted lines on the road clearly visible?
Reporting of Accident to SAPS or Metro Police
- Report the accident within 24 hours at a Police Station nearest to the place where the accident occurred
Post accident
- Write out all of the details as soon as possible, after the accident
- Contact your insurance provider
Use your cellphone to take photos of:
- The intersection or the area where accident happened, including any painted road markings or lines
- The accident scene
- The damage to all vehicles
- The vehicles from all angles
- Licence discs of all cars involved, and vehicle registrations
- Emergency vehicles attending the scene, including tow-trucks
- Other parties’ driving licences or ID books