If things go wrong

Car accidents

Car accidents can be anything from a simple bump in a car park to a horrifically stressful event with long-term consequences, especially when someone has been killed or seriously injured. If you are involved in or witness a car accident, it's important to know what to do.

As a precautionary measure, keep first aid supplies and an emergency kit in your car. Flares, a bright orange vest, torch, a mobile phone, and a disposable camera are all helpful objects to have in case of an accident.

If you are in a moving vehicle when an accident occurs, immediately and safely pull over to the side of the road, turn off your car, and turn on your hazard lights. Check to see if anyone is hurt. If there's an injured person, don't move them until you take standard first aid measures. If a driver is unable to turn off the ignition, turn it off for them. If you have them, place flares, cones, or triangles alongside the road a few hundred feet before the accident so traffic is aware that there is an accident ahead. Always ensure that you are safe and don't become part of the accident or suffer an injury.

Call 000 and ask for an ambulance, and the police if anyone is injured.

Small accident - no injuries

If you're in a small car accident where nobody's been injured, pull over and, if necessary, move any cars that are obstructing traffic to the side of the road. If a car can't be moved, drivers and passengers should stay in the cars with seatbelts fastened until help arrives.

In some situations you might have to move yourself a short distance away from the scene until help or assistance arrives. This will keep everyone safe.

Swap details with everyone involved in the accident. You need the names of those who are injured or those who are the owners of the property damaged, as well as any witnesses.

Collect names, addresses, phone numbers and drivers licence and registration details from the drivers involved. Get the names and addresses of all passengers and witnesses. Collect as many other details such as the make and model of the car, the colour and the year.

It's really important that you don't discuss what happened with anyone else but the police. Never admit that it was your fault or apologise, and don't make accusations as these comments may be used against you later in a court case.

If time permits and it's not dangerous, take notes about what you think happened and if you've got a camera or camera phone with you, take photos of the accident scene, as these shots help you later.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Car accidents and police

Police do not need to attend a crash scene unless someone has been injured. If there are injuries you must notify the police and they must attend the crash site.

The police will talk to the people involved, interview any witnesses and then decide whether any laws were broken that caused the crash. They may charge the relevant drivers with breaking road laws, and the driver or drivers may have to go to court, or you may be issued with an infringement notice.

After any serious accident, particularly where people are hurt, it is routine for police to test drivers for drink driving or drug use. You may refuse the test, but you should be aware of the serious consequences of the refusal, which includes mandatory loss of driver licence and up to $1200 fine .

It's important to collect the names of any witnesses to a crash. Witnesses may be able to help if you have to go to court.

Also, if property is damaged. the collision must be reported as soon as practicable to police.

Related links

Victorian Legal Aid - Driving and accidents
FAQs about compensation, insurance and what to do following an accident.