Is there a process if the worst happens?

Whilst everyone hopes it doesn't happen, it's incredibly important that your drivers are aware of how to receive help should they get into an accident. Accident reports through RAM Assist ensures that should the worst happen, your driver is able to get assistance. 

A dark blue car has crashed into the side of another dark blue car. In the bottom right the Accident Report feature of RAM Assist is on an iPhone

How does it work?

If a driver gets into an accident, they can use RAM Assist to alert the fleet manager of everything that has happened. They simply voice record a note of what happened, additionally, the voice recorder can be used to get eyewitness reports of what has happened as additional support for the driver if they were not at fault. 

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What to do in the event of an accident

Whilst you might think that you know exactly what to do in the event of an accident, that can all change when an accident actually occurs. An accident can occur in the blink of an eye, and we want to ensure that you are ready in the event of the worst happening. RAM Assist makes it easy, as simple as recording your voice to explain what happened.

A dark blue car has crashed into the back of a black car

Immediately after the accident

How you might hypothetically react could be very different from how you do react in a high-stress situation.

Here's what to do after an accident:

  • Stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so - it is an offence not to do so
  • Switch your engine off 
  • Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the incident 
  • Check yourself and any other passengers for any injuries 
  • If it is a minor collision and no one has sustained any injuries, you should make a note of it just in case the other vehicle tries to claim for an injury
  • You should call the police and an ambulance immediately if anyone is hurt or if the road ahead is blocked
  • Whilst it is normal to be shaken up after an accident, you must try to remain as calm as possible, Take a few deep breaths and take stock of the situation. Remember not to lose your temper 

However, most importantly, you must remember:

  • Don't apologise or admit any responsibility for the accident until you have become completely aware of what has happened - this can help to protect you from liability if it wasn't your fault

A Police siren lit up

When should I call the police?

Sometimes calling the police to the scene is the right thing to do. You should call the police if:​

  • The other vehicle leaves the scene of the accident without swapping information with you
  • You think that the other driver might not have insurance or might possibly be under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
  • You believe that the other driver has caused the collision on purpose (Crash-for-Cash)

You should alert the police about the incident within 24 hours of it happening - if you don't you may end up being given a fine as well as points on your licence or you may even be disqualified from driving

Two drivers exchanging information after they have crashed.

Exchanging motoring details

It's important that both drivers take the time to get out of their vehicles and take the time to swap information, you can't leave the scene without leaving your details or else the police may get involved 

  • The law says that you must exchange your name and address with everyone involved if the accident caused damage and/or injury
  • Exchange your insurance information and details with the driver of any other vehicles involved
  • Take down details of your passengers and you should take the information of any witnesses too 
  • You should try to find out if the other driver is the registered owner of the vehicle. If they are not, then you need to find out who the owner is and get that information too (they may be driving a company vehicle)
  • If a foreign lorry is involved, you should get the numbers of the lorry and its trailer, as they are sometimes different. It is also a good idea to get the name of the company that they work for if it is painted on the lorry.

A woman in a black blazer is taking photos on her phone of the accident that just happened between a grey and silver car

What needs to be recorded at the accident scene?

If you are able to, getting information from the scene of the accident will really help with your case.

Things to record:

  • Make, model, colour and even number plate of the vehicles involved in the accident (Taking a few photos of the vehicles will make this process a lot easier.)
  • The date and time of the crash 
  • How were the driving conditions at the time of the crash? (Weather, lighting, even the quality of the road)
  • What damage has each vehicle sustained? Where? For example, nearside front wing and door (to aid your report, the nearside is the left side of your car and the offside is the driver's side)
  • What injuries have been sustained by everyone involved 
  • The names and contact details of any witnesses

Was no one else involved in the accident? If your accident has actually been damaging private property, or you have hit a parked vehicle, you should leave your information, like a note, somewhere the owner can see it.

Your honesty could be your saviour, if there was a witness to the incident or a CCTV that caught the incident and report the incident, you will end up in serious trouble.

a woman in a brown jacket on her phone after getting in a car accident

Accident reporting in RAM Assist

RAM Assist automatically remembers your vehicle license plate based on your log-in credentials and it gets your current location using GPS. RAM Assist takes you through step-by-step:

Incident details

  • What type of incident has occured?
  • Your version of events? (Voice recording)
  • Are you injured?
  • Date and time of incident?

Other Parties

  • Is another vehicle involved?
  • Do you have a witness?

Imagery

Take images of the following:

  • Own vehicle
  • Other vehicle
  • Scene and surroundings

With RAM Assist,. it's as easy as that.

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