Car accidents are a part of the daily commuting on Lagos roads. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 3,345 road accidents were recorded in the first quarter of 2022. This means that an average of 37 road accidents occurred daily nationwide. See the accounts of road accidents witnessed by five Lagosians here.
There is a lot of confusion about what should be done after a car accident happens in Lagos. Here is a list of 10 things you should do after an accident happens as a victim or bystander:
Get to safety
Depending on the nature and severity of the accident, you may or might not be able to get yourself to safety alone. Move your vehicle off the road if the damage is minimal. If your vehicle is totally damaged, leave it where it is. Check yourself to ascertain if you have any physical injuries. Proceed to the nearest hospital for a thorough scan internal and external scan.
Report the accident on Whistle
Whistle’s feature for reporting accidents is one of the most efficient ways of alerting the rightful law enforcement officers of a car accident. The accident victims or other road users/witnesses can report the accident on Whistle. Learn how to report an accident on Whistle here.
Inform the police
Anyone at the scene of the car accident should put a call through to the nearest police station. Note the names of the police officers present and get all their contact information. If you have car insurance, request an accident report from the police officers. Insurance companies request this before paying out.
Document all relevant information
Every piece of information counts in the aftermath of an accident. Take as many pictures as possible of the scene of the car accident and the extent of damage done to the vehicle(s) involved. Details to note in multiple driver’s accidents are name, address, phone number, vehicle plate number, and driver’s license.
For situations where a driver involved in an accident is not the owner of the vehicle and their name do not appear on any vehicle documents, insist that they inform the owner of the vehicle of the accident immediately.
Don’t agree to any responsibility
Emotions are usually on the rise right after a car accident. If an accident involves two drivers and it is not a fatal one, both parties try to rid themselves of any blame. The drivers try and bait each other to take responsibility for the cost of imminent repairs.
Do not agree to any responsibility in the absence of the police or any other road safety enforcement officer.
Have you ever been in a car accident? What happened and how did you navigate that experience? Tell us in the comments. Feel free to add to the list of things people should do after a car accident.
