Written by Eada Hudes

Car accidents can happen any time and that is why it is a good idea to be prepared in advance – at the least, you need to know what you need to do if you are ever involved in a car accident. Of course, no one wants to be in one but car accidents are unexpected and can take place due to variety of factors. And if you prep in advance, then you could well save a life, the next time you are involved in a car accident or a big pile up on the highway.

• Have the required numbers on speed dial: If you are involved in a car accident, then the first thing that you need to do is to dial for help. It is a good idea to have the local cops, some important medical centers/ hospitals on speed dial so that you can call in for assistance right away.
• Check yourself: The next thing that you need to do is to slowly examine your body; granted that you would be in shock, but you need to carefully examine your   body as well as various external parts to ensure that you are not seriously injured or bleeding from anywhere. And if you are bleeding  from some parts of your body, then you need to immediately staunch   the flow and apply first aid to that particular area.
• Check out the other party: Make sure that you check out the other party and see if they are If they are injured, then carry out an assessment. And if they happen to be unconscious, then you may have to carry out CPR as well, to make sure that they continue breathing.
• Check the vehicle: You may also want to check out your vehicle and the extent of the damage to the same. If your car is totaled, then you may not have much option other than to search online for agencies that advertise their services as ‘cash for scrap cars’. You can contact these agencies and they would send someone over who   can carry out an on-spot assessment and valuation and they would let you know how much they are willing to pay, to take your totaled car.

Just Google “scrap car removal in Auckland” and that should help list the various agencies that would be more than happy to take your car off your hands.

• Exchange information: Make sure that the other party is comfortable enough; now, you can exchange contact information as well as insurance details with each other, as you wait for the authorities to arrive.
• Do not drink: Yes, a car accident would indeed be a sudden shock but that does not mean that you immediately consume alcohol to help deal with the same.   Furthermore, when the authorities arrive and they find you drinking on the scene, they are immediately going to assume that you caused the accident. So make sure that you stay well away from drinks and  other artificial stimulants.
• Check others: You may also want to check your passengers, as well as the other party’s  passengers to make sure that no one else is hurt as a result of the  accident. You may also want to apply first aid to any cuts and  bruises as well.

These are some of the things that you need to do when you are involved in a car accident. You may want to read over these tips again and again until you feel that you have prepared yourself. It is important that you take all measures to prevent accidents but failing that, you may want to make sure that you know what to do, when you are involved in an accident. Furthermore, it is a good idea to always know CPR, for you never know when you need it and it would help save other lives as well.