While most vehicles nowadays were made to give indications that the car is unsafe, it is still best to do your visual checks before driving your vehicle after a car accident. It’s best to put it this way… you know your car better.

Check doors, hood and hatch doors.

Even the impact during an accident is not directed to any of the doors; best to check if all doors are closing tightly. Especially if the point of impact is near it, during the collision, your car shook, and this may have affected or bent the panels on your car door. It is essential to make sure all doors are still closed and open as usual because this may contribute to another accident. Example If your door suddenly opens while driving, or worse, you cannot open your driverside door anymore.

Check for fluid leakage.

Any fluid leakage may be a sign of mechanical damage, and driving your car while fluids are leaking is not safe at all. Even you suspect that it’s just the coolant, it’s best to still seek advice from your mechanic that it’s safe to drive.

Secure your bumper.

If the bumper was the point of impact, it’s best to make sure it’s not waggly or about to fall off. However, if it is about to fall off, do not remove it from the car; instead, secure it.  On the other hand if your bumper or any part of it like your grill has already fallen off from the car, its best to secure the fallen parts by bringing it with you. Take a photo of detahced car parts for proof that it did fall from the vehicle. Pictures from the incident and damages on your car are essential for insurance purposes; the assessor needs to see these pieces of evidence to decide on liability and if whether to replace or fix certain panels.

Knowing what to do during a car accident can lessen your anxiety and burden. See the details checklist on what to do during an accident here.

Airbags.

Once your airbags are deployed,  your car is no longer safe to drive. In some instances, the airbag was released but did not inflate; still, it is not a safe drive. Also, your dashboard may give warnings about your airbags; don’t ignore these indications even non of your airbags are deployed. Stop your car and get a tow.

Here is a list of Tow companies around Sydney that may help you during these times. See list.

Dashboard Light Indicators.

As mentioned above, it is best to check your dashboard for any indications of mechanical problems. It may signal you on your airbags, water leakage, car temperature, and others. These indicators may not light on upon starting your car right after an accident. Indicators and or warnings may start after you drive for a mile or so. When this happens, turn on your hazard lights, slow down, bring your car into the emergency zone and call for a tow.

Broken Light Indicators.

Your signal light is significant for you to drive safely. Suppose any of your light indicators broke from a car accident; you may choose to have it fixed by a nearby repairer so that you can drive again. Make sure to keep all receipts so your insurance company can cover the reasonable cost. Indicator fix or replacement may take upto 1-2 hours thats better than having your car towed and not have a vehicle to use for days or weeks. 

Wheel Alignment.

Your car should not be swerving to the left or right when driving straight. If this happens after your a collision, it is best not to drive your car anymore. Call a tow.

What happens during a tow?

Were you ever wondering what happens when your car is to be towed?

How about my belongings? How about my personalized plate?

Relax.

Your car will be kept safe by the towing company in their holding yard.

All you need to do are as follows:

1. 1. Remove all your personal belongings from your car. you may choose to just get important belongings like your phone and insurance papers, or registration papers. And get the rest at the Towing holding yard on a later date.
   2. Get the complete name of the Towing Company and the address of their holding yard.
   3. Also, know where your car was towed from. This information is essential for claim lodgement. Your vehicle may have been trowed from the spot where the accident happened, or it was towed from the location where you noticed your car is not safe to drive.

Remember…

Be at the moment during an incident. Be present.

Instead of calling to inform your family, keep your cool and be alert, so you don’t get to attend to many phone calls from concerned loved ones as yet. 

You may get distracted with the conversation with the towing company and or other parties involved. 

It is so easy to be overwhelmed during this moment. You are thingking of your car and at the same time the other car involved in this incident. You may be shaking already, but never get mad and impatient. Remember, any inaction and misconduct can be taken against you by the parties involved.

___

Your Safety is Important.

While most accidents are minor, some can take its toll on us as driver or on our passengers. It is best to attend to any emergency first during a car accident. Mind your car later. Incidents that involves casualties mostly involve the police just get the officer’s number and get to the nearest hospital at ones!

Keep safe, Drive safe,

COSGROVE SMASH