What to Do If Your Vehicle Is Involved in a Collision?
2 Answers
Here are the steps to handle a vehicle collision: 1. In case of a property damage accident where the vehicle is still movable, the involved parties can, after reporting to the police, take photos of the scene or mark the parking position under the principle of ensuring safety, then move the vehicle to a location that does not obstruct traffic while waiting for further handling. 2. In the event of a road traffic accident, the driver must, under the principle of ensuring safety, immediately organize the evacuation of passengers to a safe location off the road to avoid secondary accidents. If the driver is deceased or injured and unable to act, other passengers should organize the evacuation themselves. 3. Wait patiently for the traffic police to arrive and issue a liability determination document. (Road traffic accidents are under the jurisdiction of the county-level traffic management department of the public security organ where the accident occurred. If there is no county-level traffic management department, the case will be handled by the municipal-level traffic management department of the public security organ.) 4. Once the traffic police arrive, the person reporting the accident needs to cooperate by providing the following information: the time and location of the accident, the method and time of reporting, the name and contact details of the reporter, the phone number used to report, details of any casualties, and inquiries about the vehicle type, license plate number, whether it carries hazardous materials, and the type of hazardous materials. If the case involves a hit-and-run, additional details such as the model, color, and features of the fleeing vehicle, the direction of escape, and the physical characteristics of the fleeing driver should be recorded.
Last time when I was rear-ended while driving, I panicked and quickly pulled over to the side of the road, turning on the hazard lights to prevent a secondary accident. First, I got out of the car to check if anyone was injured—myself or the other party—and immediately called 120 for help if necessary. Then, I used my phone to take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles, the other party’s license plate number, and a panoramic view of the scene. It’s best to record a video as well. After that, I exchanged driver’s license information with the other party, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance company details, making sure everything was recorded clearly. If the other party refused to cooperate, I avoided arguing and instead sought witnesses or called the police for assistance. Later, I contacted my insurance company to report the accident, and they guided me on the next steps. If the damage was minor, I could discuss settling privately with the other party, but always signing a written agreement to avoid future disputes. In short, if your car gets hit, don’t panic—safety comes first. Handle the situation promptly to minimize trouble. Remember to maintain a safe distance while driving in the future—prevention is key.
