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WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT

Mark Richards, Executive Manager, Internal Dispute Resolution, General Insurance, Suncorp
Obligations at the scene
Practical steps

Obligations at the scene

Under section 61 of the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic) you must:

  1. Stop.
  2. Provide assistance.
  3. Give your name and address, the name and address of the owner of the car and its registration number to:
    • any injured person;
    • the owner of any damaged property;
    • someone representing either of the above; and
    • the police if they are present.
  4. If anyone is injured or if the property of anyone not present is damaged, and the police do not attend the scene, you must provide full particulars of the accident to the nearest police station as soon as possible.

If anyone is injured, they may lodge a claim with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), at:

Transport Accident Commission
60 Brougham Street
Geelong Vic 3220
Tel: 1300 654 329 (local call); 1800 332 556 (toll free outside Melbourne metropolitan area)
Email: info@tac.vic.gov.au
Web: www.tac.vic.gov.au
Postal address:
TAC
PO Box 742
Geelong Vic 3220

A claim must be lodged with the TAC within 12 months of the accident (see: Chapter 18*2 Transport Accident Injuries, for more information).

Practical steps

  1. Take the names and addresses of any eye-witnesses at the scene (you can always find out later what exactly they saw). This is most important.
  2. Make notes of any conversation between you and the other driver.
  3. Make a plan of the accident including distances from corners, kerbs etc., skid marks and so on.
  4. Be careful in what you say; many insurance companies require you not to make any admission of liability without their permission.
  5. Ask the other person if they are insured, and with whom. They may not tell you, but if they do it can be helpful.
  6. Report the matter to your insurers. Even if you do not intend to make a claim you should make a "report only" so that if you decide later to claim it cannot be said that you failed to meet your obligations under the insurance contract.
  7. Keep a record of any towing or storage expenses you have incurred.
  8. Take photographs of the accident scene and of any damages.
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WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT :: Last updated: Thu Jul 1st 2010