• Friday, March 29, 2024
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BusinessDay

How are you ready to assist in an accident

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Photo Credit- United News of Bangladesh

With series of unrecorded accidents happening weekly on Nigerian roads, the chances of every road user witnessing an accident are high. However, the question is that, in the unfortunate event of an accident, are you willing to assist victims with your own car.

It is not out of place to say that, very few motorists have a first-aid kit in their cars or a small fire extinguisher, yet these items could make all the difference in an accident situation.

While the ordinary motorist is not a paramedic, a small first-aid kit contains some basic items that could be very helpful including a pair of gloves, an essential before handling any open wounds.A small fire extinguisher for your car is also worth considering.

There were several reported incidents during the last few years where vehicles have caught on fire and literally burnt to the ground. By having a fire extinguisher in the vehicle, these fires could have possibly been stopped in the early stages.

According to experts, motorists should begin to invest in a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher for their cars. These items are inexpensive and readily available. It is also important to have emergency numbers saved on your phone.

In the event of a major or minor accident, occupants are advised to be  polite and calm at all times and it is expected that the affected vehicles should be moved out of traffic and into a safe area. Do not admit liability for the accident.

If people have been injured, or if property has been damaged, you are legally required to stop and assist, and if you unable to move your car, the hazard lights should be switched on and place a warning triangle behind the car.

If you or anyone else is injured, call an ambulance and even if the accident is minor, call the police. Gather information from others involved in the accident such as their names, ID numbers, contact details and vehicle registration details. Take photos of the cars and the accident scene from different angles only if it is safe to do so.

If the police do not arrive at the scene of the accident, ensure that you file a report at a police station within 24 hours, and if you are injured and cannot go to a police station within 24 hours, report it as soon as you can thereafter.

If your car has been damaged and you’re unable to drive it, contact your car insurance firm to ask if there is a towing company they would prefer you to use. Make note of all their details, remove valuables from your car and ensure you understand the towing and storage fees.

In Nigeria where insurance companies provide cover and collect premium without providing value-added-services like towing trucks to remove vehicles involved in crash, ensure that you enlist the help of registered tow truck operators in the country