No one likes the idea of getting in a car accident — even a minor one. Unfortunately, the reality is that if you drive, then you’re statistically likely to be involved in one.
Because these accidents are stressful events it’s easy to forget exactly what you’re supposed to do. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious mistakes that can affect your insurance claim process. If you were involved in a car accident in the UAE, then don’t panic. All you need to do is follow the steps laid out in this article and you’ll be alright.
It doesn’t matter if the accident was your fault, or caused by someone else; there’s always a procedure you should follow in the event of a collision. To make it easier for you this section is broken down into five simple steps. Make sure you complete them to ensure everyone’s safety.
Hopefully, your car accident was minor and no party was hurt in the process. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. The World Health Organization reports that between 20 and 50 million non-fatal automobile accident injuries occur each year. As such, there’s a good chance that someone might be hurt on the scene.
When you get in a car accident, you should first make sure that you and everyone in your car are okay. If you find no injuries — or only minor cuts and bruises — then check on the other vehicles involved. Try and get a verbal response that everyone involved is safe.
If you discover a serious injury, then you should immediately contact an ambulance. Do this as fast as possible — a quick response time can mean the difference between life and death. Minor injuries don’t require as much speed, but you will likely still want to call one to treat them.
Once you’re sure everyone is alright, then it’s time to tie down the area. This means that you want to make it as safe as possible while the police or ambulance arrives. Most of the time you can do this by simply turning on your vehicle’s hazard lights while you wait.
If you own a hazard triangle, then you can also set that up. However, in some cases, you’ll need to move your car to a safer area. If you're blocking the flow of traffic, then move your vehicle off to the side of the road. This is especially true if an accident happened in the fast lane or a hard shoulder.
If you can’t move your car due to damage, then contact the police. Then get far away from your totalled vehicle in case another accident occurs.
You should always inform the police of an accident, even if there weren’t any serious injuries. It’s important to get a proper accident report for the car insurance process. If the only damage to your car was a fender bender or minor cosmetic damage, then you may not need to call the police.
You can report the accident to the police by calling 999. During this time you should also request ambulance support if you need it. Alternatively, you can try the Dubai Police app if you got into a car accident in Dubai.
This app allows you to fill out a simple accident report and take pictures of the scene. It only takes three minutes and it saves you from having to wait for the police to arrive. Unfortunately, if you live outside of Dubai, then you will need to rely on traditional phone methods.
When the police arrive you will want to have all your documents in order. This will speed up the process greatly. The documents you need will depend on whether you’re a resident or a tourist. Residents will need the following material: your Emirates I.D., driver’s license, vehicle registration card, and medical insurance card (if you have one).
Tourists, on the other hand, will need the following: your passport, a valid driver’s license, and a medical insurance card (if you have one). If you don’t have some of these documents, then don’t panic. Simply discuss the issue with the police when they arrive. However, in the future, you should consider carrying all these documents in case of emergency.
The sooner you start the insurance claim process, the quicker you can get your vehicle back on the road. Once you have an accident report, as well as photos of the scene, then you can contact them. Your insurance provider should offer a clear way for you to report a claim. Then follow all the steps that the insurance agent tells you to.
During this time you should also take advantage of any roadside assistance that your insurance company may offer. This is especially important if your car is no longer drivable.
Many good providers offer these types of free, 24/7 services for people with damaged cars. If your insurance provider doesn’t give you roadside assistance, then it’s a clear sign that you’re sacrificing quality for a cheap price.
Hopefully, this article helped you learn exactly what to do in the event of a car accident in the UAE. The only thing worse than getting in an accident is getting in an accident without car insurance. But how do you find an insurance provider that has your best interests in mind?
If you live in the UAE, then look no further than the Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Company. Tokio Marine Car Insurance combines affordable prices with great repair coverage.
Plus it includes great features like free roadside assistance and rental car covers. If you’re ready to start driving with confidence, then get in touch with the Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Company today.
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