Motor vehicle accidents and insurance

Under section 61 of the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic), you must: 1 Stop. 2 Provide assistance. 3 Give your name and address, the name and

address of the vehicle’s owner and its registration

number to:

a any injured person;

b the owner of any damaged property;

c someone representing either of the above; and

d the police if they are present. 4 If anyone is injured, or if the property of someone

who is not present is damaged, and the police do

not attend the scene, you must go to the nearest

police station as soon as possible and provide

details of the accident. A person who is injured in a vehicle accident may lodge a claim with the TAC (see ‘Contacts’, below) within 12 months of the accident.

For more information, see Chapter 10.2: Transport accident injuries.

After an accident, it is a good idea to: 1 Write down the names and addresses of any eye-

witnesses (you can always find out later exactly

what they saw). This is important. 2 Make notes of any conversation between you and

the other driver. 3 Draw a diagram of the accident, including

distances from corners and kerbs, and the position

of any skid marks. 4 Be careful what you say; many insurance

companies require you to not make any admission

of liability without their permission. 5 Ask for the name of the other driver’s insurer. 6 Report the accident to your insurer. 7 Keep a record of any towing or storage expenses. 8 Take photographs of the accident scene and of

any damage.