SCENE OF ACCIDENT

Most calls I get from my past clients are:

• How do I find the reverse in my rental car?
• Where is the parking brake release?
• Why are my back tires smoking?

On the rare occasion, I get a call from an ex-client who was a passenger in a car that crashed and they ask me, What Do I Do? What Should My Driver Do?

This is good to be aware of in fact it’s fairly straightforward once you read the law which is shown below but it’s good to summarize it.

Protect The Scene

First Protect the Scene and realize that post-crash is dangerous because traffic is continuing to come towards you. My First Response is to get down the road or get others’ help to stop the traffic from causing a second collision. Then 911 for medical care asap.

911 Medical Care

Always keep in mind the legal obligations a driver must obey:

https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96318_01

Duty of driver at accident

68   (1) The driver or operator or any other person in charge of a vehicle that is, directly or indirectly, involved in an accident on a highway must do all of the following:

(a) remain at or immediately return to the scene of the accident;

(b) render all reasonable assistance;

(c) produce in writing to any other driver involved in the accident and to anyone sustaining loss or injury, and, on request, to a witness

(i) his or her name and address,

(ii) the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle,

(iii) the licence number of the vehicle, and

(iv) particulars of the motor vehicle liability insurance card or financial responsibility card and, if applicable, blanket certificate for that vehicle,

or such of that information as is requested.

(2) The driver or operator or any other person in charge of a vehicle that collides with an unattended vehicle must stop and must

(a) locate and notify in writing the person in charge of or the owner of the unattended vehicle of

(i) the name and address of the driver, operator or other person in charge,

(ii) the name and address of the registered owner, and

(iii) the licence number

of the vehicle that struck the unattended vehicle, or

(b) leave in a conspicuous place in or on the vehicle collided with a notice in writing giving the information referred to in paragraph (a).

(3) The driver or operator or any other person in charge of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to property on or adjacent to a highway, other than a vehicle under subsection (2), must take reasonable steps to locate and notify in writing the owner or person in charge of the property of the fact of the accident and of the following:

(a) the name and address of the driver, operator or other person in charge of the vehicle;

(b) the name and address of the registered owner;

(c) the license number of the vehicle.

A Great Exercise To Walk Thru On One Of your Driving Lessons!