Did you know? The RAC handles more than 35,000 collision claims every year.
Figures from the Office of Road Safety show more than 100 road accidents occur in Western Australia every day. 1 Many crashes lead to nothing more than a dented bumper or broken brake light but sometimes the consequences can be more severe.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, there are some simple steps you should take that will make reporting the accident and dealing with any legal or insurance matters easier.
- Stop the car immediately and
stay calm.
- Check to see if anyone has been injured, but do not put yourself or others in danger.
- Switch on your hazard lights and if possible, move cars out of an intersection or have someone signal to drivers that there is a problem on the road.
- Call 000 for an ambulance or send someone to get help if required.
- Remove any glass or other dangerous items from the road if you are moving a damaged vehicle from the site, and only if it is safe to do so.
- Get angry or aggressive with
other drivers.
- Admit responsibility for the accident, even if it appears it was your fault, as this could affect your rights and insurance decisions later.
- Offer to pay for repairs or the damage.
- Leave the scene of any accident where someone has been injured until the police and ambulance arrive.
- Call the police where there is minor damage and no injuries.
Checklist: what details should you collect?
The following checklist details the information you should collect following an accident:
- Date, time and exact location of the accident, including any cross streets.
- Swap details with any other drivers involved (or owner of any property that has been damaged). This includes name, address, contact telephone number, insurance company and vehicle details (number plates, vehicle colour, make and model).
- Details of any witnesses to the accident.
- Draw a map of what happened. Include the direction the vehicles involved were travelling, any obstacles, traffic lights, road signs and name of the streets where the accident occurred. Note down any other crash features e.g. wet road conditions or curves in the road.
- Make a note of any visible damage to vehicles and property. If you have a camera or phone with you it can be helpful to take a photograph.
Assistance for RAC Insurance policy holders
Need a tow truck?
If you require assistance in the Perth metro area, call 13 11 11 any time of the day. If no phone is available you should choose a tow truck with the RAC approved sign (using an unauthorised towing service could mean additional costs). Remember that only you or the police are entitled to authorise the towing of your vehicle. You have the right to request that the car be towed to the nearest RAC Approved Repairer.
How do I lodge a claim with RAC?
Our dedicated Claims Team are available seven days a week and are committed to helping you get your life back to normal when the unexpected happens.
Call 13 17 03 to talk to a Claims Consultant Monday to Friday 8am - 9pm or Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 8.30am - 5pm. Or lodge your claim online.
You are obliged by law to:
- Report an accident to the police if the damage to the vehicles or property is estimated to be more than $3,000 in total, or if the owner of the damaged property is not present. Often repairs can be costly, so if in doubt report the accident.
- Report any accident to the police and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia where someone has been injured, regardless of the estimated cost of the damage.
Useful contacts to report a crash:
Report a crash online at crashreport.com.au
Insurance Commission of Western Australia: tel 9264 3333 or 1800 643 338
Western Australia Police: tel 131 444
1Thompson, PE and DL Hill. 2010. Reported Road Crashes in Western Australia 2007. Office of Road Safety.