Don't Be a Crash Test Dummy

Your head is throbbing, your heart's racing, your car's a mess. Not a situation conducive to clear thinking, but after an accident, you need to keep your wits about you.

Safety first. Take a deep breath and calm yourself. Next, turn off your engine (to avoid a fire if there's a fuel leak), apply the hand brake, and put on your flashes. Then do a quick physical. Can you move without pain? Are you bleeding? If you're hurt, call the emergency help line. If you don't have a mobile phone, ask passerby to call.

Check to see if other passengers are hurt. If they are, don't move them unless there's an immediate danger.


Move out of danger. If there are no injuries and both cars are driveable, the vehicles should be moved to the shoulder, a side street or car park.

When to call police. Drivers should call if anyone is injured, if there's damage to property or if a driver suspects a criminal offence (impared driving, for example)

Don't get taken by a tow. A few shady tow-truck operators prey on shaken motorists, referring them to second-rate body shops for kickbacks. Others charge astronomical towing and storage fees. Don't agree to a tow unless you know all the charges.

Stick to the basics. Before you leave, get as much information as possible. Even if the crash seems clear-cut, try to get the names and telephone numbers of witnesses.