Accidents and Emergencies
Who do I need to report incidents to?
If you are involved in a road traffic collision or accident, no matter how small it may appear to be, you must report it to the client and your Driver Hire office.
If the accident has caused an injury or damage to property, including the road or highway, you must report it to the correct authorities. The criteria for such accidents are any that involve:
- Anyone other than yourself
- An animal not carried in your vehicle
- A vehicle other than the one that you are driving
- Property on or adjacent to a road e.g. trees, pillar boxes, lamp-posts etc
Following the correct procedure
In the event of an accident, you must carry out the procedure below:
- Stop, and warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights and/or a red warning triangle
- Remain calm
- Do not, in any way, admit liability
- Obtain the names and addresses of the driver(s) or vehicle owner(s), plus the registration number of any other vehicles involved in the accident
- Give your name and address, plus the registration number of your vehicle and address of its owner, to any person having reasonable grounds to request such information
- Obtain the names and addresses of any witnesses
- Obtain the details of the insurance companies of any other vehicle involved
- Record details of the road traffic collision itself; the position of any other vehicles involved, the width of the road, the position of any road markings or traffic signs etc. Draw a sketch to illustrate these points. Take pictures if possible
- Report the accident to a police officer or police station as soon as is reasonably possible and always within 24 hours. If there is a police officer present at the scene, obtain their number
- Report the accident to your Driver Hire office immediately, followed by the client
Important note: in the event of a non-traffic related incident, leading to loss or personal injury, you must call the Driver Hire office immediately for advice.
Gathering information
It’s always useful to note down the following information in the event of an accident:
You and your vehicle:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Date passed test
- Vehicle registration
- Trailer number (If applicable)
- Damage to your vehicle
- Speed at which you were travelling
- Were you signalling
- Did you sound your horn?
- Date, time, place of accident
- Weather conditions
- Street lighting
- Witnesses
- Make a sketch (to include road markings, measurements and vehicle positions etc.) and take photos
Other people and their vehicles:
- Name and address of owner/vehicle driver
- A list of the damaged caused
- Damage/defects already on vehicle before accident
- Registration number
- Vehicle make
- Condition of tyres
- Speed of vehicle
- Was the vehicle signalling?
- Any injuries to driver or passengers
Caroline king made this site
