Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Crashes are a daily occurrence on SA roads, and more often then not, drivers forget to take down important details or to follow a simple process because either panic or frustration sets in.
Following an incident earlier this week, Wheels24 reported on a driver fleeing the scene after crashing and overturning a bakkie on the N1 in Centurion.
News24 journalist Sharlene Rood reported on Wednesday that the three men who were in the bakkie that flipped on the N1 highway in Centurion are “doing okay under the circumstances."
READ: Family thanks motorists who prevented culprit from fleeing accident scene
Adriaan Schoeman of First Road Emergency Services told News24 the accident happened on Tuesday at about noon, approximately 2kms after the Old Johannesburg Road offramp.
In the video tweeted by Yusuf Abramjee several motorists chase after the driver, blocking the vehicle, preventing him from escaping.
Law for All has put together a handy guide to dealing with minor car accidents to help you navigate through this frustrating situation.
A quick checklist on what to do when involved in a motor vehicle accident:
1 Get full names and ID of the other driver and witnesses
2 Obtain the other driver’s and witnesses’ address, email and phone number
3 Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle
4 Write down a detailed description of the vehicle – colour, make and model, registration number
5 If the police, traffic officers or medics show up, take down their details
6 Take down the details of tow truck employees.
7 NB! Do not admit fault or take responsibility for the accident, even if you were unequivocally the cause of the mishap. This could affect a claim with the insurance.
We also list some other crash and insurance related articles such as why it's a good idea to get a dashcam in your car, who is your regular driver listed on your insurance and making sure you read the small print on your vehicle insurance documents.
It's only when it's too late do we often realise the fine-print that might have been missed when signing insurance policies.
Wheels24 also reported that many road users are still under the mistaken impression that a driver who has right of way cannot be held liable for the negligent actions of other drivers.
This according to Johannes du Plessis, Legal Advisor at RBS (Risk Benefit Solutions Pty Ltd), an authorised financial services provider, who warns that all road users are expected by law to react reasonably and prudently to avoid colliding with another vehicle.
Du Plessis says: "As a result, responsible drivers could find themselves having to pay damages, even in cases where others had caused the collision.
What to do in a crash and other helpful insurance articles
1. Fender bender do's and don'ts: Here's what you should do in a crash
2. Vehicle insurance: Who’s the regular driver of your car and why it matters
3.Car insurance: Why you need a dashcam in SA
4. 'No-claims bonuses cost the insurance industry, puts consumers at risk'
5 Insurance claims: Know the 'no-claim bonus' fine print
6. How to choose the right car insurance in SA
7. Caught drunk driving in SA? Why insurance claims are rejected
8. Here's how negligent drivers leave road users liable for damages
