Car crashes cause a great deal of confusion for everyone involved. Worse still are the human and material losses that can occur. But it is precisely at that moment that you need to take steps to minimize those losses.
Car crashes cause a great deal of confusion for everyone involved. Worse still are the human and material losses that can occur. But it is precisely at that moment that you need to take steps to minimize those losses. So the question is: what should you do if you are involved in a car accident? Keep reading for a guide that could help you.
The Dominican Republic's Law 63-17 on Mobility, Land Transportation, Traffic and Road Safety defines the driver's responsibility in a vehicle accident as follows:
“...The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injured persons or damage to another vehicle or to public or private property shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident in a manner that does not obstruct traffic, and shall comply with all the obligations set forth in this law, without risking their own safety.”
The law thus sets out the first three actions a driver must take to protect those involved, keep the road safe, and protect themselves:
In any case, every driver should keep these three elements in mind in the event of a car accident.
Start by checking inside the driver's own vehicle, but also check whether anyone is injured in the other vehicles involved. If anyone is hurt, immediately contact medical services or the 911 National Emergency System so they can provide the necessary help.
You can also give first aid to anyone who needs it while medical help is on the way. And of course, this is also the moment for the driver to assess how they feel and whether they have been injured.
Traffic authorities are responsible for determining liability and taking the necessary action. In addition to assessing the conditions of the accident, they can also perform the blood alcohol tests provided for in Law 63-17. In the Dominican Republic, this authority is the General Directorate of Land Traffic and Transportation Safety (DIGESETT).
To make sure your insurer covers the material losses, contact them as soon as possible. In the Dominican Republic, keeping an active insurance policy is mandatory.
When a fleet vehicle is involved in a crash, the monitoring center must be contacted. These vehicles commonly have GPS devices that pinpoint the location of the accident. In many cases, the monitoring center also helps contact the insurance provider and medical services when needed.
To keep evidence and a record of what happened, it is a good idea to take photos or videos of the vehicles and the accident scene. If the vehicle has alarms and security cameras, the incident is recorded automatically. If not, you can also do it with your cell phone. For vehicle or truck fleets, this is even more important. With cargo vehicles, drivers can also record the condition of the containers.
