How to Handle Hitting a Guardrail?
2 Answers
Hitting a guardrail with a car is considered a single-vehicle accident. You need to call the police and notify your insurance company to file a claim for the damage to the guardrail. If you flee the scene after hitting a guardrail, in addition to fully compensating for the destroyed guardrail, you will also face fines, administrative detention, and penalty points for fleeing the scene of a traffic accident. Below is more information on how to handle hitting a guardrail: 1. Fleeing after hitting a guardrail results in 12 penalty points, detention, fines, and full compensation for the guardrail damage. Moreover, the insurance company will not cover any of the damages to your vehicle or the guardrail, and it will leave you with a negative traffic record. 2. In traffic accidents involving vehicles hitting guardrails handled by traffic police departments, the drivers involved often exhibit fatigue, drowsiness, excessive speed, or other factors leading to improper operation, resulting in single-vehicle accidents. However, there are many reasons that can lead to "improper operation." 3. Most of these accidents occur at night, especially during the early morning hours, due to poor visibility and driver fatigue. If the driver fails to pay attention to road conditions and drives at excessive speeds, sudden situations like overtaking or avoiding pedestrians can easily lead to accidents.
If I hit a guardrail, I think the first step is to ensure safety: stop immediately, turn on the hazard lights, and then get out of the car in a safe place, away from traffic. Check yourself for injuries—if something feels wrong, don’t move around and call emergency services or ask passersby for help. Next, take out your phone to photograph the scene—the guardrail, the vehicle’s position, and the surrounding road—to assist the traffic police and insurance company in handling the matter. Remember the emergency numbers, 122 or 110, to report the accident. Also, contact your insurance company, provide the owner’s information, and they will guide you through the claims process. Finally, assess the vehicle damage; if it’s undrivable, arrange for towing services. Stay calm throughout the process—road accidents are common, but timely handling can prevent further complications. Afterward, reflect on the cause: fatigue, distraction, or poor road conditions? Drive more carefully next time, as safety always comes first.
