What to do in the event of a car accident in Dubai

Being involved in a car accident is often a jarring experience. If the force of an impact is strong enough, you may be physically disorientated and, in more unfortunate situations, even injured. Luckier drivers may only come away with a slight case of whiplash, but more than superficial damage to their vehicle or another. What do you do in these situations? How do you ensure the safety of everyone involved whilst still protecting yourself from accepting misplaced liability?

This week, Johnedwardkelly Dubai will take you through some basic steps to understand and follow should you find yourself involved in a car accident in Dubai.

What are the top priorities immediately after a vehicle collision?

Regardless of whether or not the car accident is major or minor, safety should always be the number one priority immediately after a collision. While even a small bump can send your adrenaline pumping, it’s important to stay calm and be aware of what’s happening around you, so that you may react quickly and safely. Immediately after an accident, you should:

• Stop the car as soon and as safely as possible. Do not move your vehicle if it has already stopped
• Turn off your engine and switch your hazard lights on
• Check for any personal injuries, and injuries to any of your passengers
• Check for any injuries or property damage to third-parties
• Call the police (999) or an ambulance (995) immediately if anyone is found to be hurt, or if the accident is blocking the road

It is also extremely important that you do not apologize or admit liability for the accident at this time. It may be a gut instinct to say you are sorry, however apologizing can lead to less honest people attempting to pin blame on you where you aren’t actually at fault. Avoid discussing the cause or fault of the accident until the police arrive.

When should I contact the police after a car accident?

In Dubai, a police report will be required when the following conditions exist:

• Where an injury has occured (driver, cyclist or pedestrian)
• Where an involved party has left the scene without exchanging information
• A hit-and-run accident
• Involvement of government vehicles
• Involvement of vehicles not registered in Dubai

You should contact the police immediately if it is safe to do so. Failure to report a car accident to the authorities within 24 hours is a violation of the Road Traffic Act. When the police arrive, it’s important that you follow their directions – but still do not admit fault.

What should I do once I have checked all safety concerns?

Exchange information

According to Dubai Legal Advice, the next thing to do in a car accident is to exchange information with involved parties. Exchange the following where possible:

1. Name
2. National Registration Identity Card number
3. Telephone number
4. Home address
5. Insurance details

It’s also important to get the information of any passengers, pedestrians or witnesses involved.

Record evidence

In addition to recording details about the persons involved, it’s also a good idea to take your own records of the scene of the accident. If you have a camera handy, or a mobile phone with a camera, document the scene as it is for potential legal use later. Here’s what can be helpful in a car accident case:

• Pictures of the accident and areas surrounding it
  • Try to capture wide angle shots that capture the entire scene
  • Also capture close ups of vehicle and property damage
• Take note of the license plates, makes, and models of the vehicles involved
• Make a record of the time, date, location, weather, and road conditions at the time

If a camera is not available, try and make a sketch of the accident scene on paper. Write down all of the details you can too (including written descriptions and locations of damage), as it may still be used in liability disputes later.

Contact your car insurance company

Phone your insurance provider, or insurance broker, at the accident scene if you can. This conversation will usually include:

• Obtaining your policy number or information to help identify you
• The license plate details of the cars involved
• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of third parties
• The insurance details of third parties

If your insurance company is a member of Independent Damages Assessment Centres (IDAC), you will be able to contact the IDAC hotline (1800 887 5151) to arrange a tow service, get a damage assessment, and begin the process for having your vehicle repaired. If your insurer is not an IDAC member, then you will have to organize which authorized workshop to take your vehicle to directly with the insurer.

What if I don’t need to make an insurance claim?

It’s still a good idea to let your insurer know you were involved in an incident if you don’t need to make a claim. Maybe the damage is small enough that you’d rather pay out of pocket, or perhaps it’s cheaper to pay for repairs yourself and keep your No Claims Discount intact. Either way, letting your insurer know will protect you in the event that any third-parties attempt to make a claim without you knowing. It’s better your insurer finds out from you if there was an incident, than from a third-party potentially claiming you were at fault.

What should I do after the initial incident has been taken care of?

After a car accident, it’s important that you obtain two things (if applicable): a police report, and a damage report. Both may be necessary if you wish to make a claim on your insurance, or if you find yourself in the middle of a liability dispute. This will act as a written record of the accident’s circumstances, as well as include information regarding the parties involved. Even if there is nothing left to do but pay for your own repairs, it can still be handy to have these records in the future.

Are there things I should avoid during or after an accident?

As we’ve mentioned a number of times already, it’s really important to not verbally accept blame in any way. It’s not a matter of being dishonest, but merely protecting you from being held responsible by dishonest people for things that were not your fault. In addition to this, here’s a quick list of things to be aware of in an accident:

• Do not move vehicles before you have had a chance to take photographs (unless safety is an immediate concern)
• Avoid unauthorized tow truck operators and unauthorized workshops, these may see your insurance decline coverage under your policy conditions and could cost you even more in the long run
• Try to stay calm and not get into heated arguments with other parties, focus instead on ensuring people’s safety and gathering the information you need until the police arrive
• Avoid exchanging money with other parties at the scene

Car accidents can be a stressful time, but you should try your best to be calm and collected. Wild tempers and aggressive behaviour will only make things worse.

What else should I know about being in a car accident?

Knowing what your car insurance will cover is also an important precaution you can take. Understanding how your vehicle policy works, and what circumstances you’ll be covered for, can help you remain calm and not stress when accidents happen on Dubaian roads. If you have third-party car insurance, you’ll know that damage to your own vehicle will not be covered. If a third party is at fault, you’ll still have to deal with their insurance company to see your repair costs met.

Comprehensive car insurance holders will have more peace of mind in accidents, however there are still a range of exclusions and policy limits that can affect just how simple a car accident claim can be. In order to really be prepared for the actions you’ll need to take after a road incident, you’ll need to know the details of your car insurance policy. What’s the secret many Dubaian drivers are learning? Johnedwardkelly makes for the best car insurance partner in the country.

Securing car insurance through Johnedwardkelly Dubai means having an expert advisor on your side in times of strife to help guide you through what you need to know and do in an accident, provide you with support to ensure your insurance claims are successful, and ultimately do what they can to get you back on the roads with as little disruption to your life as possible. For a free quote or some friendly vehicle insurance advice, contact the team at Johnedwardkelly Dubai today.