What To Do If You Have A Car Accident On A Road Trip?

Are you heading on a road trip and want to know what to do should the worst happen? A car accident on a road trip, especially when you are far from home, can be terrifying, but it doesn’t need to be. We have teamed up with the experts at Smiths Lawyers to run through what you should do if you have a car accident on a road trip.

Keep reading to find out more!

What To Do In A Car Accident On A Road Trip

A car accident on a road trip can be scary, especially if you don’t know where you are. But that doesn’t mean you need to panic. Instead, take a deep breath and follow the steps outlined below. Some of these will be similar to the steps you would follow in a car accident at home, but others, like emergency savings and a contingency plan, will be different.

Step 1 - Call Emergency Services

First, assess for any injuries in your car and the other vehicle. Call the relevant emergency services if needed and ensure you provide them with as much information as possible. Should the accident block the road, you might need the police to divert traffic or move your vehicles. Don’t worry; the dispatcher will help you if you don’t know what emergency services you need.

Step 2 - Document The Scene

When it is safe, you must thoroughly document the scene. Thai involves taking pictures of the road, the scene of the accident, and damage to your vehicle, as well as others, if multiple cars are included.

You should always take the names and contact numbers of any witnesses that can be passed along to your insurance company. You should exchange details with other vehicle owners, providing your name, a contact number, and the name of your insurance provider. Your insurance policy number is handy here, but don’t panic if you don’t have it.

Step 3 - Source Transportation

Where possible, you can continue driving your vehicle if it is safe. In the cases where you can't, you must source transportation that can take you home, to your next destination, or a safe space where you can plan what to do next.

Your insurance or breakdown cover could help you here or the police if they were called. You can ask the tow driver for a lift if your car is towed to a repair centre. Check for available taxis or public transport if you have an accent in a town or city. You can also ask others around you for help.

Once you have transportation, you can focus on processing your insurance claim.

Step 4 - Contact Your Insurance

Let your insurance provider know you have been in a car accident. Provide them with as many details as possible and explain that you are on a road trip. Depending on your cover, they might be required to bring you home, either with a courtesy car or arranging for transportation.

Before contacting your insurance, it's worth checking to see what cove you have and if the cover is impacted depending on who is responsible for the accident. You can ask your insurance company here to tow your car home if it is undrivable and repairs must occur.

Step 5 - Prepare For An Accident

While you might not have prepared before the accident, you can ensure that you are more prepared the next time. A contingency plan should be in place before you head on a road trip to have a plan of action in case you can’t use your car.

This might involve adding a courtesy car to your insurance, knowing what public transport you can access, or taking two cars on the road trip (if a few of you are travelling). As part of your contingency plan, check your vehicle before travelling, adding air to your tyres, or booking in for a service.

It is also worth having an emergency fund before travelling to cover you should anything go wrong. This fund could cover a myriad of things along with a breakdown, like hotel cancellations or missing items. The emergency fund should have enough to pay for additional accommodation, public transport, or tow truck fees.

Final Thoughts

There you have it: five steps you can follow should you have a car accident on a road trip. While it can be scary to be involved in an accident in unfamiliar territories, you can be on the road again in no time by following these steps and remaining as calm as possible.