What to Do After Hitting a Road Guardrail?
3 Answers
If a driver hits a guardrail while driving, they should immediately stop the vehicle and report the incident to the traffic police for handling. Upon arrival, the traffic police will determine liability for the accident. Contact the insurance company. After the traffic police determine liability, the insurance company will accordingly cover the compensation. Call a towing company to transport the vehicle to a 4S shop or repair facility for parts repair, painting, and other necessary work.
After hitting the road guardrail, I immediately pulled over to the roadside to prevent secondary accidents and turned on the hazard lights to signal other vehicles to detour. Never move around on the lane to avoid being hit by vehicles behind. Then check if you're injured—call an ambulance if anything feels wrong. If it's not serious, note the guardrail's location and damage, take photos including the license plate and scene. Next, call 122 to report the accident, clearly stating the location for them to handle liability. If the guardrail is public property, I'll have to compensate but let the insurance company handle the claim for convenience. Afterwards, contact the insurance company to report the accident and provide evidence, waiting for their damage assessment arrangement. Choose an authorized repair shop to evaluate losses including paint and bumper damage when fixing the car. Remember to stay calm, don't feel guilty, learn the lesson, and drive more attentively next time to avoid fatigue driving.
That time when I was driving my family home at night and hit the guardrail was quite scary, but I knew the most important thing was to stop the car safely and ensure the passengers' safety, acting quickly to avoid exacerbating injuries from the shock. After getting out of the car, I set up a triangular warning sign dozens of meters away to alert oncoming vehicles and protect everyone. With no casualties, I quickly took photos of the guardrail and vehicle damage for documentation. After calling the police, I honestly explained the situation without fleeing to avoid points and fines from the police. Then, I contacted the insurance company, sent them the photos, and followed up on the claims process, which usually involves reporting to compulsory traffic insurance and commercial insurance to cover costs including towing and repairs. Reflecting afterward, it was the poor weather and unclear visibility that caused it, so now I always increase safety awareness, control my speed, and avoid reckless lane changes. Regular car maintenance, checking tires and brakes, reduces the risk of accidents and makes travel more reassuring.
