Steps to Take Following a Motor Vehicle Accident

Gold Coast and Brisbane Personal Injury Lawyers explain the steps to take immediately following a motor vehicle accident. No Win No Fee Lawyers servicing all Queensland.

When you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it can leave you in quite a state of shock. It can sometimes be hard to gather your thoughts and think of what you need to do.

In the case of a serious accident, you may not be in a position to gather evidence about the other drivers and accident circumstances because of injury. In such case, Police will attend the accident and investigate the accident circumstances, as well as gather information about the vehicles and drivers involved for you.

However, where you are not in need of  medical attention in the immediate aftermath of an accident, this post will hopefully help you understand what information you need to gather and the steps you need to take.

Step 1 – Remaining at the Scene of the Accident 

Firstly, it is a Rule of law that you must not leave the scene of an accident, unless you have good reason to do so, ie. it is dangerous for you to remain at the accident scene. Leaving the scene of an accident can result in harsh penalties.

Step 2 – Details of the Other Vehicles & Drivers

Secondly, the most important step to take is getting details of the other vehicles and drivers involved in the accident. This means gathering licence plate numbers, names, addresses, contact details and licence information.  If possible, taking photographs of the other vehicles (including number plates) on your mobile phone would be advisable, to ensure you have taken down the correct licence plate and vehicle details.

Step 3 – Gather Evidence of Witnesses to the Motor Vehicle Accident

Thirdly, identify witnesses to the accident who can support your version of events and ask for their names and contact details. If they are driving a vehicle, it may help to take down their licence plate number also just in case. Again, using your mobile phone to take photographs can be of assistance.

It is also a good idea to take photographs of vehicles generally parked in the near vicinity of the accident area (showing licence plate details), just in case you need to track down possible witnesses to the accident later on.

Step 4 – Gather Information about the Accident Circumstances

Fourthly, gather as much information about the accident circumstances as you can, including taking photographs of the positioning of the other vehicles in the accident immediately after the collision, as well as the general environment and road area where the accident happened. These may help identify any environmental hazards having contributed to the accident. If possible, making a note of what other drivers and witnesses tell you about the accident circumstances and their experience of it, as soon as you can after the accident is also advisable. You can even use your mobile phone’s memo recorder to record your conversations after the accident with other drivers and witnesses.