Most drivers have their share of minor accidents, and thankfully, most of them simply involve small scrapes and dents.
However, it’s important to know what you need to do should you hit a stationary object, whether you’re at fault or not.
Here is a brief guide:
‘I hit an animal’
Animals are unlikely to be stationary, but it’s worth reiterating what to do if you’re unfortunate enough to hit one.
According to the Road Traffic Act 1988, if you hit a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog, you must stop and report the accident to the police as soon as possible, whether or not the animal is killed.
Other animals, including cats, foxes and badgers, do not need to be reported, although of course, you may want to try to help any injured animal.
‘Not my fault!’
If you hit an object by the side of the road, such as a skip, and you believe the collision was not your fault, you should gather as many details as possible at the scene, in case the police or insurance companies get involved.
This means taking photographs, looking for witnesses, and taking notes, if necessary.
On-road skips must have flashing lights to ensure they are visible at night, so if you hit one and it is unlit, it is the fault of the skip owner.
If you’re looking for Swansea skip hire, such as that available at http://pendragonskiphire.co.uk/swansea-skip-hire/, you should ensure the firm provides you with adequate lighting, to prevent collisions occurring.
‘I hit a parked car’
If you hit a stationary car, the accident will probably be your fault. Nevertheless, it is still important to take as many details as possible, taking photographs and making notes if you can.
Include any evidence or details about special circumstances, such as greasy, icy or slippery roads, bad parking or dark conditions, which may explain why you hit the vehicle.
If there is no-one in the car, you should leave a note on the windscreen with your contact details, so you can negotiate with the other owner about repair costs.