What you need to do if you’re involved in a collision

UK Government statistics for the year ending June 2022 showed there were an estimated 1,760 fatalities in reported road collisions. Here at Intack Self Drive, we value the safety of our customers above everything else. We know that regardless of how good a driver you are, accidents and collisions can still occur, and of  course, the situation can be made a little more complicated if you’re driving one of our car hire or van hire vehicles, but were happy to discuss that with you if you ever find yourself in that scenario! So, if you find yourself in the rare position of having been in a collision and you’re not sure what to do, here’s some advice. 

What defines a collision? 

In the eyes of the law, there are a few characteristics that determine whether an incident can be classed as a collision or not. Collisions involve a mechanically-propelled vehicle on a road or other public area, and for a collision to be deemed a reportable road traffic incident there has to be: 

• Injury or damage to someone (that isn’t the driver). 
• Injury or damage to an animal that isn’t being carried in the vehicle (something like a dog, cow or sheep). 
• Damage to another vehicle (not the vehicle that caused the collision). 
• Damage to any property (buildings and homes for example). 

What should I do if I’m in a traffic collision? 

Before you do anything, take a deep breath and try to stay as relaxed as you can (even though it may be difficult!). This is important as it’s more than likely you may experience a certain degree of shock, depending on the severity of the incident. From here, there are a few steps that you can take to keep yourself safe in this scenario. If you find yourself pinned, injured or unable to move, then sit tight and wait for assistance. You don’t want to risk further injury by moving. If you feel that you’re in good enough condition to move, then try to do the following: 

• Stop where you are (it’s a legal requirement for you to remain at the scene if you’ve been involved in a collision). 
• Turn off your engine.
• Switch on your hazard warning lights. 
• Assess yourself for any injuries. If you’re carrying passengers, assess them as well. 
• Exchange insurance information with anyone else involved in the collision (if the other party involved in the collision refuses to give you details, or they leave without giving you any, then you should call the police on 101). 
• It’s also advisable to take pictures of the scene of the accident, especially the position of the cars and close ups of any damage sustained by all cars involved so you can provide this evidence to your insurer. 

Should I call 999 if I’m in a collision? 

You should immediately call 999 if someone is in immediate danger, injured or if you believe a serious offence has been committed. What’s more, you need to call 999 if the collision causes a blockage on the road. 

From here, the police will guide you through exactly what you need to do from this point on. 

If however, you’re involved in a collision that’s damaged your vehicle beyond repair, once your home safe and sound, you’ll need a temporary set of wheels to get you back on the road - we can help you with that.  

At Intack Self Drive, you can rely on us to provide you with quality vehicles at fantastic prices. We take care of all the maintenance and upkeep of our vehicles, so you don’t have to worry about a thing besides picking out the best vehicle for you.

Whether you’re looking for car hire, van hire or minibus hire deals, all of our rental vehicles come with the option to rent through daily hire, or our outstanding Flexi hire service, so whatever your intended destination, we’ll have a vehicle that suits your requirements. Ready to get started? You can browse the best hire deals right here on our site, or give us a call on 01254 57811!