Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Involved in a car accident? Here’s what to do…

With international travel restricted for South Africans due to the latest COVID-19 variant, there will be an increased number of vehicles on our roads which could lead to a higher than usual rate accidents.

5 types of pictures you MUST take at the scene of an accident

Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, but reports of how one occurred, can differ considerably. 

In addition to following the normal process of collecting information, taking pictures also comes in handy; after all, pictures say a thousand words.  That said, it is important to keep in mind that the purpose of taking pictures at an accident site is for photographic evidence and notto show off the gory nature of the accident.

Here are a few tips on the types of pictures you should ideally take at the scene of an accident.

  1. Set the stage:  Before you begin clicking away at the accident damaged cars, you need to “set the stage” of the accident. This allows you to “bring the accident site to the insurer” for the obvious reason that those people were not present when the accident took place. Taking pictures which allow them to be present at the scene allows them to get a better understanding of what happened moments before the collision.
  2. The position of the vehicles:  Take images from all four directions (north, south, east and west) and include all the affected vehicles, road markings, street names, traffic signage, road surface/condition, etc.  Ensure that you include portions, if not the entire vehicle, so that your car’s placement can be viewed in relation to the accident.  These images will make it easier to show how the vehicles came to a stop in the position they did, after the accident occurred.
  3. Position of damage on the vehicle:  Many people tend to take pictures of the damage on their car which sadly, is not as relevant to accident investigators, as the position of the damage on the car.  Don’t get it wrong –  showing the damage is important but it is only part of the evidence required to help make your case.  Rather, take images that show the damage in relation to the surrounding, undamaged area of the car.  For instance, if another driver collided with yours from the left, take pictures of the entire left-hand side of the car, as well as a close-up of the damaged area.
  4. Road conditions / General environment:  Focus on damage to the surroundings as a result of the accident. These could include fluid spills, tyre/skid markings, pieces that may have come off the accident-damaged vehicles, road markings, road signs (or the absence thereof), street lights, potholes, road works, mile markers and any other unique features.  Remember to keep your car (portion of or whole) in the frame as a “reference” point.
  5. Documentation: It is important to take pictures of the documents belonging to all parties involved.  These should include driver’s licenses, IDs, license disks and/or license plates, and vehicle branding.  In addition, it is advisable to take pictures of any injuries you or others might have sustained, including medical reports of your check-up post the accident.

Remember to clean the lens of your phone camera so that the images are clear and the text on the licenses and car branding is easy to read; and that it is illegal to distribute images of other people without their consent.  The pictures you take should only be used to aid your version of events.

NB: This article is a guide and does not represent any insurance, legal or accident codes of behavior.

Know Your Towing Rights

Being stuck on the side of the road can be unpleasant and scary, particularly if you are stranded as a result of a car accident. Our Editor, Vuyi Mpofu shares a few tips all motorists should keep in mind.

We often hear of motorists who, after being involved in a car crash, have their vehicles towed away either without their permission or to storage places that charge excessive daily rates. 

While this practice is generally done by unethical tow truck operators, it can be avoided when motorists are aware of their rights.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:  

  1. If you are insured, contact your insurance provider for advice. Do not let anyone else contact them on your behalf.
  2. If your insurance includes cover for towing, contact the emergency number provided with your cover,
  3. If you are uninsured, it is your right to choose which tow truck service you will use, however, make sure you understand their terms and conditions and get such in writing before permitting them to tow your vehicle away. 
  4. Always check and read any documentation carefully before signing.
  5. Get all the relevant information from the tow truck operator before allowing him to move your vehicle. This should include:
    1. their name
    2. company name, 
    3. company registration or association registration number, 
    4. contact number and office physical address
    5. the physical address of their storage yard (if it is different from their physical address), 
    6. registration number of the tow truck vehicle. 
  6. Take a video/photographs of your surroundings and vehicle including when it has been attached to the tow truck before it leaves.
  7. Establish upfront, and in writing if possible, how much the service is going to cost (including per kilometer rates), and how much any storage costs will be, especially if you do not have any cover.
  8. Remove all valuables from your vehicle before it is towed.

It is important to note that not all tow truck service companies are unprincipled. There are accredited service providers who adhere to strict rules of conduct.  Motorists should not feel obligated or allow themselves to be intimidated into doing anything they don’t want to do. 

Being covered by insurance is the best option, but even without it, no-one has the right to take your vehicle without your consent