Being in a car, pedestrian, bicycle or motorbike accident is never enjoyable but practising common courtesy if you are involved in a collision can go a long way in making the experience bearable.
If it is a minor incident, stopping to exchange phone numbers, insurance companies and other details – as well as make sure the other party is safe – is good practise.
It is also recommended that, despite feeling shocked, emotional or angry, you try and keep your communication with the other party polite and pleasant.
Evidently the more serious the accident, the harder it is to keep a level head. However, calling emergency services and the police is a good place to start – the fine print such as exchanging contact details can be dealt with later.
This same advice applies to onlookers. If you see a crash unfold, calling trained professionals to attend the incident is a good way to help.
One of the worst things you can do in the event of an accident is speed off and leave the scene – otherwise known as a hit and run.
Although panic and fear can take over, the consequences of trying to escape can be serious.
Not only will you experience feelings of guilt and culpability further down the track, you will also most likely face legal action. You could even risk another person’s wellbeing when you leave – rather than speeding off, stopping to help them could save their life.
Leaving a hit and run is a serious matter that the NSW police are trying to crack down on after a series of accidents occurred in the region.
On Wednesday June 20, a 53-year-old female driver allegedly hit a 48-year-old woman in a hit and run collision on Hill Street in Port Macquarie.
The woman who was struck suffered from catastrophic injury and passed away at the scene.
Police have arrested the driver and she is due to appear in court facing charges on July 16.
Officials say this is one of three hit and run collisions that have occurred in the past week – prompting police to issue a special statement encouraging drivers to remember their responsibilities when involved in a crash.
“A number of hit and run victims are taken to hospital, where they later die. By leaving these people you are decreasing their chance of survival,” assistant commissioner and commander of the traffic and highway patrol unit John Hartley said on June 21.
“By leaving the scene of a crash, you are risking serious charges and up to ten years gaol time,” he added.
Pedestrians who have been the victim of these types of collisions may like to know that there is hit run accident compensation available.
There are lawyers in Sydney who will look over their case and help them find adequate reimbursement should they be eligible.
