Getting into a car crash - What do you do? Tips for teens
Nobody wants to ever get in a car crash. Besides from the damage to your car, you or others can get hurt.
We try our best to stay safe, but sometimes 'life happens' and you can get in a crash. If this happens, there are a few things that you can do.
After you get into a crash, be it with another car or against something, you will feel a lot of emotions like shock, or feeling guilty or nervous or scared.
The first thing you need to do is to try and calm yourself by taking a few deep breaths. You need to be calm before you face the situation, especially if you bumped against somebody or somebody bumped against you. It is not good to be in a frantic state if you need to speak to the other person involved in the accident.
If it was a bad accident and you cannot get out of your car, stay seated, with your safety belt on and phone the emergency number. Also switch on your hazards that other cars can see you clearly.
If you can still drive your car move it out of the road to a safe spot, so that you do not block other traffic.
Make sure that you, your passengers and the people in the other car/s are not injured. Remember that even if a person does not show any injuries, but they are not feeling well, they can have internal injuries and it is better to go to the hospital for observation.
If you phone the emergency service, you will need to give certain information.
Who? The dispatcher will ask for your name and phone numbers in case the authorities need to get more information from you later.
What? Tell the dispatcher as much as you can about the emergency — for instance, whether there is a fire, traffic hazard, medical emergency, etc.
Where? Let the dispatcher know exactly where the emergency is taking place. Give the city, road name, road number, mile markings, direction of travel, traffic signs, and anything else you can think of to help them know how to find you..
If another car was involved in the accident, or caused the accident, make sure you get all the detail from the other driver. Information like his ID, his address, telephone number and insurance detail.
It is also a good idea to take photos of the scene and the vehicles to use as reference if needed.
Even though the accident itself can be upsetting, the 'after effects' can also be traumatizing. You are maybe hurt or your car is damaged or you just take a while to deal with the shock of the accident.
It can all be upsetting, but at the end of the day, even if you have lost your car, be thankful that you are okay.
Do not replay the accident over and over in your head, this will just upset you more. It has happened and there is no use living in the past.
If you really have problems dealing with the 'aftermath' of the accident, speak to your parents or go and see a professional who can help you.
