Are you Prepared?

No one wants to experience a full on 'movie style' car crash in real life. It's fast, alarming and unlike the movies you're not likely to walk away from it unscathed or without an expensive bill.

In February I had a spectacular spin to avoid a drunk driver between the Johnstown junctions of the M3. It sent us into the crash barrier at motorway speed and wrote off the car. Shaken and alarmed both my son and I were extremely lucky to walk away from the wreckage without a scratch. The same cannot be said for the suspected drunk driver who fled the scene of the accident.

The crash taught me some valuable lessons. Some are about how to possibly avoid future crashes but what was more obvious was how to be better prepared for the moments after an accident.

Road Worthiness

Many might think the NCT is a chore and highlights costly repairs but it ensures for that moment in time that the car is fit for the road and ensures basic safety. You have to worry about how many cars so not have a valid NCT let alone if the driver has insurance or even a driving licence.

However, from time to time we might check simple things like the wear or pressure in the car tyres but I can guarantee you've never checked your air bags. 17 years after being fitted mine didn't activate! Will yours? Check with your manufacturer and don't assume they'll work.

Staying Safe

Safety is always the first consideration. If your accident is on the motorway or at a dangerous location then move behind the barrier or find a safer location away from the crash scene. Anything that puts you in danger is a BIG 'NO NO'.

Dial 112 from a mobile to contact emergency services. Dialling 999 uses your sim card network which might not have the best signal.

Be Equipped.

My biggest lesson was to simply have more useful things in my car to help me or those I might stop to assist. The following should appear to be highly obvious but I doubt many have anything at all. You can purchase usefull kits in the shops or just collect them individually to suit your needs. Just remember that each car needs these:

Bright torches that work.

The spinning impact ruined all the cars exterior lights which made it invisible when darkness descended. The cabin light was all that worked and so a hazard warning triangle really would have helped. Having 2 bright torches is invaluable. One to shine at the car if needed and the other to wave to draw attention.

HiVis vests

Have a few to wear which will both warn drivers of your presence and it helps passengers stay in visual contact with each other.

A First Aid Kit

One that includes more than just tiny plasters. You might not be a first aider but you'd be surprised how many are qualified and will stop at the scene to offer help.

Power

A charged Mobile phone portable battery. In the middle of nowhere you might get emergency phone reception but not without power. The car power jack might be inaccessible or fail.

Tow rope

Discover where they attach and it might get you out of the ditch and on your way again.

Jump leads

Used safely they could be a simple solution to getting you home.

Food and Drinks

Have at least enough for 2 people since you don't know how long before help arrives.

Warm and Dry

Don't assume it's going to be safe to shelter in the vehicle. 2 large blankets and some disposable instant hand warmers will help keep passengers warm and umbrellas will keep you dry.

Distractions

If you've children keep some age appropriate toys or books to hand which will help pass the time waiting.

Evidence

After establishing that neither myself or my son were injured and having contacted the emergency services what I should have done next could have saved me thousands of euros.

Take photos with your mobile phone!

Even though the driver causing the accident only paused briefly several hundred metres away and in near darkness one of those pictures might have revealed the reg, make and model. Details that I couldn't provide when the driver fled and with them went any hope of capture and an insurance claim.

Take Notes

Again your mobile phone is a useful tool. Witnesses to the crash stopped to assist and 20min later gave a statement to the Gardai. Without their help at the scene it could have ended badly. Taking their contact number may have been of use in case they left the scene before the emergency services arrived. A simple thank you message for helping later on would have been possible too.

Many drivers stopped who had witnessed the incident and having a few business cards could have assisted since they might have spotted the car which fled and notified the Garda of the reg.

Post Accident Trauma

Don't assume a crash only affects your repair bill and future car insurance. The after effects of any accident is something each person will undergo and help is available.

Although we didn't suffer any obvious physical injuries 'the mind remembers what the body forgets'. It's hard to gauge how a child might react afterwards and nightmares and distress are key signs to watch out for. Talking openly, but age appropriately, about the accident was my approach and focusing on the positive aspects of having to find a new car appeared to have worked successfully.

Informing the school to ask them to spot any unusual behaviour was another good action. So too was refraining from sporting activities for 2 weeks. Concussion in sports is now well known so talk with the coaches since head injuries can go unnoticed.

Uninsured & Unidentified Vehicles

"The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland was established in 1955 by an Agreement between the Government and the companies underwriting motor insurance in Ireland for the purpose of compensating victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles." (www.mibi.ie)

The scheme may be of assistance depending on your particular circumstances, insurance level and the value of your vehicle.

There are numerous compensation firms online willing to share in any potential claims should you wish to go down that route. We didn't since we had no one to chase after. Despite being an offence to leave the scene of an accident it's not simply a case of stopping them. Get evidence and witnesses if it's safe to do so.

Future Car Insurance.

Damage must be paid for by someone and that's what car insurance is for. In our case the driver fled and my pre crash car value was not much anyway. Not having fully comprehensive made compensation zero. However I still wrecked the motorway side barrier and required a tow truck. It took six months to close the insurance case and my no claims bonus was affected and dropped back to 3 years. We are all aware that premiums for new drivers are sky high and with 3 yrs no claims bonus they are too.

I knew my renewal premium would rise because I had been involved in an accident 'regardless of claim or blame' so that particular check box on the insuring firms form would cost me. As it turned out it cost around €80 more and likely to for the next 5 years.

I'm a named driver on one other car so that premium is also affected. The awful fact is that you need to decide how much the no claims bonus is worth to you and find out if you can settle the insurance claim personally to regain it? It was in my case and hence the crash cost me more than just a new car.

However, being able to walk away from the car wreck with my son unscathed is priceless so I'm not complaining and i leave you with the obvious advice of 'Don't Crash'.