Alone and vulnerable after a car accident – what do you do?
If you’ve ever been in a car accident you’ll know just how frightening and traumatic the experience can be. For most people, being in an accident can leave you feeling extremely vulnerable and having someone to reassure you and help you get through the necessary processes is a huge benefit.
A new Discovery Insure member was relieved when after being involved in a car accident, with no family or friends available for support at the time, she received a phone call from someone who continued to check up on her until she was reunited with her family.
The person on the other end of the phone was an agent from Discovery Insure, who the woman says made her feel “immediately reassured and completely comfortable”.
Also read: “I made the right choice” – a father tells the story of his daughter’s car accident
Sometimes, all you need is a bit of reassurance
After her accident she wrote to Discovery Insure to share her experience, saying that during that very vulnerable time in her life she felt immediately reassured and completely comfortable by the call she’d received from the call centre.
“I was not able to get hold of my husband on his cellphone and had requested the call centre to please call me frequently as I was alone and not sure of what help was near. The agent gladly obliged and did check up on me until I was with family and safe.”
These sorts of incidents are sure to shake anyone and it’s not always easy to remember exactly what you need do and which processes to follow. If you find yourself feeling vulnerable and unsure of what to do after an accident, call a family member or friend for some support and make sure you contact your insurance company, who might be able to offer further reassurance.
Although the Discovery call centre agent had asked her if she was in need of any medical or towing assistance, she was fortunately unharmed.
What to do when you’re involved in an accident
Statistically, most regular drivers will be involved in an accident at some point in their lives and no matter how big or small it may be an accident can be a traumatic experience.
WOW recommends the following helpful tips to remember in the event of an accident:
Never leave the scene of an accident
By law, if you are in any way involved in an accident you are legally obliged to stop your vehicle and remain at the scene until authorities arrive to take important details. Do not leave the scene until a police officer has given you permission to do so.
Call emergency services
If it’s likely that someone (or you) may have been injured during the accident, call emergency services as soon as you are stationary and able. Make sure that the incident has been reported to the police too.
Gathering information
Make sure you get the details of all those involved: names, ID numbers, addresses, contact details and vehicle registration numbers. It’s also a good idea to get the details of any witnesses, police and ambulance personnel for further evidence. You can do all this on the Discovery app as well as submit your claim.
Find someone to drive you home
We advise that you ask a family member or friend to drive you home if your car is not seriously damaged. Even the brave can be affected by an accident and sometimes the trauma will kick in the minute you’re back behind the wheel.
The content for the above featured story was supplied by Discovery Insure. To get car insurance that calls emergency services when you can’t, click here.