If you are involved in a car accident, the most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse. Follow these steps to ensure that you handle the situation safely and effectively.
What to do After a Car Accident in Kenya
1. Get to safety.
If you can, move your vehicle out of the traffic flow away from oncoming cars. If you are unable or injured, call 911 immediately and wait for assistance to arrive. While you wait for help to arrive, ensure no one is in danger by turning off your car and putting out fires.
2. Check for injuries
If someone is injured, you must do everything possible to help them. Call 911 immediately, and then stay on the line until they tell you to hang up. Provide information about where you are, your location relative to known landmarks, road numbers, mile markers, etc., what happened, whether or not medical aid is required, and so on.
3. Stay calm
If you are not seriously injured, staying calm is essential to ensure that someone else does not become damaged in confusion. Stay calm and make sure everyone in your vehicle is safe and secure.
Remember that panicking will only make the situation worse. Follow these steps to ensure that you handle the situation safely and effectively.
4. Call the police and inform them of the situation.
If you have been in an accident, it’s essential to tell the authorities what happened so they can assess the damage and ensure everyone is safe before clearing away the wreckage. Ensure you get a copy of your police report to file for compensation.
Also, read List of Road Signs in Kenya You Need To Know
5. Gather information:
Once the police have arrived on the scene of your accident, they will begin the investigation and determine who is at fault for the accident. Gather as much information as you can from both yourself and those around you to pass along to the police officers that arrive on the scene, such as:
- Names of anyone involved
- Insurance information
- License plate numbers
- Descriptions of the other drivers involved
6. Get information from the other driver.
Ask for their name, address, telephone number, and insurance information – if the other driver isn’t willing to share this information with you, do not go chasing after them! Follow up with a call to their insurance company.
7. Exchange information with the other driver.
Letting the other party know where you can be reached is also helpful if they have any questions or concerns about how things happened or what damage was caused.
8. Take pictures of both cars, the surrounding area, and injuries for documentation purposes.
If there are disagreements about who caused the accident or how much damage was done, it is essential to document what happened. Take photos of your injuries as well as those on the other car.
9. Document what happened as soon as possible.
Many insurance companies recommend writing a brief account of what happened and any witness contact information as soon as possible after the crash. This way, you have it on hand if you file for compensation later.
10. Contact your car insurance company right away.
Call your insurance company to file a claim if the accident was minor and nobody involved requires immediate medical attention. In contrast, the accident details are still fresh in your mind.
What not to do after a car accident in Kenya
- Don’t drive your car after an accident
- Don’t go back over to the other driver’s vehicle
- Please do not move the cars from their current locations until a police officer instructs you.
- Do not move the other driver’s car if it is blocking yours, and make sure to inform the police of this fact when you file your report.
- Don’t take any medication without checking with a doctor.
- Do not attempt to approach or follow another motorist that has caused an accident.
- Do not answer questions while under the influence of medications or alcohol.
It is vital for those involved in a car accident to precisely understand their rights and responsibilities following the crash.
Remember, if you caused an accident because of recklessness, do not attempt to lie about your actions or downplay them – this will only make things worse after the police arrive and issue any citations or further charges.
Read also How to Become Uber Driver in Kenya
In summary
In an accident, it’s essential to follow these steps to ensure that you handle the situation safely and effectively. The most important thing is safety, so make sure everyone in your vehicle stays safe while waiting for help to arrive on the scene.
Check out our blog for more information. We have some articles on what to do if you’ve been in an accident, including tips for filing a personal injury claim.
