It is important that people are well informed about just what to do in an accident. When an accident happens, people often make mistakes and forget to do the basics because they’re so traumatised, says Caroline da Silva, head of commercial underwriting at Santam.
Da Silva says holidaymakers should ensure they are insured with an insurance company that has a free emergency service for policyholders.
“For example, after a car accident, our personal policyholders will be able to call MultiSOS on 0860 505 911 at any time and we will take care of the entire process of medical emergency treatment and transportation, towing the vehicle to panel beating right up to where the car is returned to the owner.
“There will be no more horror stories of big towing bills. A proper free emergency service will ensure that the vehicle will be taken into reliable care from the outset, and costs and quality of repairs will be managed entirely by the insurance company.”
What to do in an accident
1. Phone your insurance company’s helpline like Santam’s MultiSOS, a free emergency service, on 0860 505 911. If you are unable to make a phone call, follow the steps below.
2. Stop immediately. Don’t move the vehicle(s) in the event of death or injury.
3. Get the other driver’s details — name, address, telephone number, make, model and registration number of his or her vehicle, the name of his or her insurer and, if the vehicle belongs to someone else, the owner’s name, address and telephone number.
4. Give your name and details to whoever has reason to ask for them. Most importantly, do not try to apportion blame and this stage and never admit that you might have caused the accident.
5. Try to find witnesses. Write down their names, addresses, telephone numbers and, where possible, their impressions of the accident. Make a note of the police or the traffic official’s name and contact number.
6. Make a note of where the accident occurred — name of the road and neighbourhood, or details of the freeway section (for example, between which offramps and distance from nearest town) and the conditions (weather, visibility and condition of road).
7. Make a note of the exact time and date of the accident.
8. Sketch the position of the vehicle during the accident.
9. If your vehicle must be towed, make certain that the towing operator is approved by the South African Towing and Recovery Association and obtain an authorisation number from your insurance company. Also ensure that you know where your vehicle is being taken.
10. Report the accident within 24 hours to the South African Police Service, even if it was a minor accident. Show your driver’s licence and give your full details.