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Car accident in Australia – what to do

If you are in a new country, you always wonder about different rules and regulations. What will be the right procedures in certain situations. Regarding a car accident in Australia, the steps aren’t much different from other western countries. QLD Police has comprehensive flyer to download.

You also find relevant information on a lot of websites. Here is a summary/excerpt:

First: Don’t Panic.

1. Secure the area

Do you or anyone else require medical assistance? If anyone is injured, call 000 immediately for an ambulance.

  • Apply first aid if you know how and make the person comfortable.
    If spinal or head injuries are suspected, don’t move them under any circumstances and wait for the ambulance to arrive.
    To be prepared, it is always advisable taking a First Aid course and renew it regularly. Accidents can happen any time and not only in connection with a vehicle.
  • Turn on the hazard lights. Make the surrounding area safe to prevent another accident from occurring. Secondary accidents account for many of the accidents that occur on Australian roads. A triangular safety reflector or warning triangle would be very useful. Since it is not mandatory to carry one in the car, you won’t see them quite often. Nevertheless it is advisable to always have one ready. It is not expensive to buy. E.g Bunnings (a hardware store) sells it for only AUD 8.08.
  • Make sure that there are no hazards such as leaking fuel or debris lying on the road.
  • Make sure engines of the vehicles are switched off.
  • If the damage isn’t extensive and it’s safe to do so, you should move the vehicles involved in the accident to the side of the road so you’re not blocking traffic. If possible, take a photo of the scene before moving the vehicles, for insurance purposes.
  • Call the police (Policelink 131 444) if someone has been injured or if there is third-party property damage where the owner is not present. The police should also be notified if there is any suspicion of drugs or alcohol being involved in the accident. If you do contact the police, make sure you are given a Police Event Number, to aid with your insurance claim.
2. Collect information

Exchange details with other drivers involved in the accident. These details include:

  • Full name
  • Residential address
  • (Mobile) phone number
  • Driver’s licence number
  • Registration number
  • Insurance details (including name of insurer and policy number)

Ideally, you’ll have a notepad and pen in your glovebox for this purpose. You could also take notes on your smartphone. Some insurers also now have mobile apps to help with the accident-recording process.

If possible, take photos of the accident scene. As well as the scene itself, these pictures should include the damage to your car, damage to other vehicles and any third-party property damage.

3. Call your insurer

If possible, call your insurance company from the accident scene. They will be able to talk you through the process and advise you of your next steps. You will usually be advised to not admit liability to anyone.

This is because you may be in a state of shock or may not be fully aware of the circumstances of the accident. It is not up to you or anyone else at the scene to determine fault, which should be left to the police and insurance companies to decide at a later date.

Information your insurer will need:

  • Name, contact details and licence numbers of the owner and driver(s) of the other vehicle(s)
  • Details of your car
  • Details of the other car(s) – registration number, colour, make and model
  • The other driver’s insurance details
  • A summary of the accident, including where and when it happened

Even if no one is hurt or the damage is only minor, you should still report an accident to your insurer. This is in case the other party involved decides to make a claim against you, or you develop an injury or later discover further damage to your vehicle.

4. Take care of your vehicle

If your vehicle is damaged, you will need to determine whether it is roadworthy before driving it away from the scene of the accident. Damage may be obvious in the form of a flat tyre or punctured radiator, but other damage may be harder to determine, such as steering or brake problems. Check your vehicle over thoroughly before driving it. If there is any doubt about its roadworthiness, do not drive it away from the scene.

If your vehicle is not driveable, tow trucks attending the accident may try to convince you to let them take your vehicle to a panel shop they are affiliated with. Do not let yourself be talked into anything you don’t understand or trust. Under no circumstances should you sign a contract, as it may be committing you to having your vehicle repaired at a particular panel shop.

Ask your insurer what you should do. You will generally be directed to an approved panel shop, which the tow truck should take your vehicle to.

5. Making a claim

The final step after an accident is to make a claim with your insurance company. If your vehicle was towed to a panel beater approved by your insurer, repairs will usually be authorised fairly quickly.

On the other hand, if your vehicle is driveable after the accident and only needs minor repairs, your insurer may require you to obtain at least two quotes (sometimes three) from different panel shops, from which they will choose the lowest quote.

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