What to do Following a Road Traffic Accident

Unfortunately, road traffic accidents remain all too common on Irish roads. According to the Road Safety Authority, 7 people lost their lives on Louth roads in 2021. While this is still an unacceptably high number, perhaps we can take some solace in the fact it represents a slight drop in the number of road deaths in Louth when compared to 2020.
The vast majority of road traffic accidents don’t lead to fatalities however they can lead to personal injuries that can put a serious financial strain on an injured person, due to medical bills or a loss of earnings while recuperating. That’s not to mention the mental toll the accident and the recovery process can put on a person.
Because road traffic collisions remain so common, every driver or passenger must know what to do following an accident.

Immediately After the Accident

In the immediate aftermath of the collision, it’s extremely important to follow some basic checks.

After the accident:

- Stop the car as soon as it’s possible to do so. It is a criminal offence to not stop following a car accident. 
- Make sure you and your passengers are safe and unhurt. It’s recommended to take a few deep breaths to try and keep yourself calm. Shock can nullify pain so you may have an injury that you can’t feel therefore take a few minutes before you begin moving around
- You should not admit fault on the scene, apologise or even discuss the accident, fault is something that can be ascertained later

The Information that should be collected at the scene of the accident

Only after seeking medical attention for injuries or after calling 999, should you go ahead and collect some vital information at the scene of the accident.
The information that should be gathered includes:

- The registration and insurance company information from the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident
- Get the name and contact information of the other driver(s) involved in the accident
- If emergency service personal like Gardai/Ambulance team attend the scene, try and get their names and contact information
- Use your phone to take pictures of any injuries you sustained
- Take pictures of any damage to your vehicle from a variety of angles
- Make sure to get access to any CCTV footage that may have captured the incident. Local shops may have cameras outsides or a nearby vehicle may have dashcam footage
- Take a note of the time and date of the accident

What to do after the road traffic accident?

Visit your nearest Gardaí station and request that a Gardaí take the details of the accident. If the road traffic accident was considered minor, the Gardai may not attend the scene. However, it’s important that you have a Gardai take your accident statement.
You should also inform your own insurance company about the accident so they have a record of the incident.
Finally, you should speak to a road traffic accident solicitor like Catherine Fee & Company. Our expert legal team will be able to advise you if perusing a personal injury claim is in your best interests. We’ll also be able to answer any legal questions you may have.

Remember being involved in a road traffic accident – however minor – can still lead to injuries and mental distress. Therefore the most important thing to do following an accident is to seek medical attention.
If you have any further questions on the legal ramifications of pursuing a personal injury claim following a road traffic accident get in contact with Catherine Fee & Co today.