Accidents can happen
any time. No matter how careful you are and how alert you seem to be, a small
slip is all it takes for a mishap to take place. However good a driver you are,
you must always be prepared to deal with such a situation and the risk that it
brings with it at all times.
If you are in the
UAE, here's a guide to what you should do immediately after a road accident to
ensure that your address woes are answered in case you're the victim and you take
the right action in case you're another party involved in the accident.
One thing that must
keep in mind is that you should always take a car insurance and keep it up to
date. This insurance will help you financially in case your car gets damaged. A
car insurance also ensures that you have something to fall back on when tragedy
strikes. As a thumb rule, you must also keep a first-aid box in the car glove
compartment for minor wounds and bruises. If you're calling an ambulance, it
might take a long time to come because of Dubai highways. For major injuries,
you will have to call an ambulance but if it is something minor, it is better
to give first aid on spot and then drive down to the nearest medical facility.
Here are 6 things
that you should do in case you are in a car accident in UAE.
Stop
Wherever You Are
If you are in an
accident, the first thing to do is stop, irrespective of how minor it is. Park
your car to one side of the road and get out of the car. Make sure your car
engine is switched off and the hazard lights are on to alert other drivers that
you are there. There are safety cones available on Dubai's high speed highways.
If you find one nearby, make sure to place it near the accident spot to alert
other commuters and drivers. It is essential that you stay calm and not be
panicky because that would just worsen the situation. Lastly, remember that
even if you are the person who has hit someone or a car, you should never speed
away to escape the scene. It can later get you into more trouble and many
drivers have faced the consequences of this strict law.
Check
for Injuries
As soon as you have
parked your car, look if you have any minor or major injuries. This is not just
limited to external ones like cuts and bruises. You may have bumped your head
or hit your stomach. These can cause internal injuries and bleeding which may
prove to be fatal. Once you have checked yourself, look out for others involved
in the accident. Gauge the severity of their injuries and make sure that they
are safe. In case the injuries are minor, tend to them immediately with first
aid. If somebody is in a critical condition, call the police at the emergency
helpline 999. They will respond to your distress call and will arrange an
ambulance for as fast as they can.
If the car crashes in
a remote or congested highway, Dubai police has the facility for an air
ambulance. This service can be called for in case of an extreme emergency.
Do Not
Panic or Lose Your Cool
In a crucial
condition like a car crash, it is always best to stay calm and not panic. Try
not to get into a brawl with anyone or arguments with other car drivers
involved in the accident. Assess the situation to the best of your logic and
take all necessary action. Co-operate with the police when they question you
and help them with all possible details even when you know that you're the one
who's at fault.
Give
All the Information That You Have
The RTA in UAE asks
for all necessary details like name and address of all people and vehicles
involved in an accident. In the aftermath of a mishap, make sure you share all
such information as quickly as possible. If you can, share the details of other
people involved in the accident too.
Another thing that
you should always keep in mind is that the accident was not your fault alone so
must not take the full blame on yourself. Try and recall the events that
unfurled during the accident and give them to the police as clearly as
possible. Taking blame for what you haven't done may only land you in
unnecessary trouble.
Talk
to Your Insurance Agent
The best thing to do
after you stabilize a bit is to call your car insurance company. Your insurance
agent will be able to help you more and they can get first hand information of
the accident when you call then and there. They can also help you deal with the
police. Calling your insurance agent immediately will also avoid unnecessary hassles
later on when you have to claim it.
File
a Police Report
Once you have sorted
the initial bits, file an accident report in the nearest police station that
you can reach to. A minor accident also needs to be reported right away. It
speeds up the insurance claiming process and will also allow you to prove that
you were in an accident later on if you want to.
Dubai police has an
app called 'Report Minor Accident from Phone' available on all smartphones. It
is convenient to use and allows users to report minor accidents without
visiting a police station. In case you are in one, make judicious use of that
and report the accident immediately.
Finally, you may skip
calling your insurance agent in the midst of all the chaos. It's quite natural
but in case you do, make sure you have collected all the data from the accident
site. Use your phone to take pictures and note down the car details like the
model number, color, number plate and registration. You should also do this
for other cars involved in the crash for any future reference. Try noting down
contact numbers and names of any eye witnesses who can help you with any future
investigation. And finally, be safe so that you do not hurt yourself or others
more and seek immediate medical help.