Driving in the Philippines can be as bad as you imagine it. In fact, there are around 300 vehicles that crash into each other on Philippine streets each day. This has been proven by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) through reports and everyday road encounters. As per the most recent edition of the MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System (MMRAS), in 2016, there were 109, 322 road collisions in record. Out of 210, 542, 108, 307 (51.44%) of these collisions of the vehicles involved were cars. Being a driver, you definitely know that you might be part of this demographic; getting into an accident with another car can happen everywhere, anytime. This is why most drivers are taught defensive driving to avoid situations like these.
Read: Guidelines For Driving Safely In The Dark
What should I do if I get into an accident with another car?
Of all the things you should do, here are the things you should and shouldn’t do if you get into an accident with another car. Bad or “not that bad,” this list will be your guide in safekeeping you and your car. This goes to the Filipino people but you can of course still apply these internationally. So, what are the first steps you need to take in the event of a car-to-car-collision?
Calm down
There’s no easy way to say it – being panicked won’t help so reserve your energy and just chill out. You will be able to resolve all issues if you talk about it. Moreover, you will be able to think more and better if you stay relaxed and calm. It can be your mistake, it can be the other driver’s mistake; the good thing about this is that you’re alive with no fatal injuries, stay calm.
Make sure that you’re safe – also the other party
Getting into an accident means that there are chances of fatalities. If you can, check yourself if you’re all good. Wounds, sprained or broken limbs, and injuries would be common; you’re lucky if you don’t have any. If you have passengers, check on them as soon as you can. If the other car has passengers, check on them as well. Contact medical assistance as soon as you get a hold of your phone. Exchanging numbers would be a better idea as well for better and a more improved communication. By this time, you’re blocking the road so signal other drivers about the incident and get them to move on.
NEVER drive away from an accident
Whether it’d be a car encounter or a person, you should always remember that driving away from an accident is like putting yourself at risk. If you get into an accident with another car, stray away from driving to the side of the road; keeping the positions of the vehicles will help authorities record what transpired in the incident. A good tip would be signaling incoming traffic that there is an incident ahead to avoid congestion. If a person is hit, it is important to ensure that the person is safe and alive. Seek medical help to check if injuries are present.
TIP: There are a lot of schemes today that would trick drivers hitting a person. If you think that the hit is ridiculous, ensure that you are in a safe place before leaving your car. Always be defensive because you never know.
Contact the authorities
After everything is settled, grab a traffic enforcer or a police officer’s attention. Doing this would make a record of the incident marking the occurrence on that day. Furthermore, authorities will be able to see what happened and they can give you minor legal advice on what you should do next after the incident. Although there are cases where authorities would be clueless on how to settle it, it’s still best to contact them to record what happened.
Take pictures and videos
The accuracy and conciseness of the record is crucial for any legal or insurance claims. Having this said, take as many photos of the accident as you can; take it from multiple angles to ensure that you have clean evidences of the accident. Ensure that you get the big picture of the incident to show the overall of the incident that transpired. Taking pictures and videos of the details of the damages would be handy as well.
Read: The Basic Road Markings In the Philippines And What Each One Signifies
Contact your insurance provider
After everything has toned down, it’s now time to have your car fixed. Inform your insurance provider about the incident, and discuss ways on how you can minimize necessary costs for repair/replacement. You have to do this once everything has been done because the sooner you contact them, the more accurate your record of the incident will be. Ask them about any additional forms they require, such as police reports, incident records, etc. to process your claims.
If you don’t have car insurance, then better be ready with the costs. Being in an accident is a truly frustrating experience and you’ll wish you have insurance. Nevertheless, you still need to be thankful that after getting into an accident with another car, you’re still breathing and safe.
