A car accident is always traumatic, whether an out-of-control vehicle crashes into your property or you’re in a collision on the road. Even driving over a pothole too fast can cause major tyre, wheel, or suspension damage and immobilise your car – and given the poor condition of many South African roads, pothole damage is a constant threat.

When another driver smashes into your boundary wall or you’re in an accident, going into shock is a natural physical response. You may be too emotional to think clearly, but that’s exactly the time when you need clear steps to follow, to prevent any further losses. Take these steps immediately after the accident:

• Check if anyone has been injured and call emergency services if necessary. Don’t move injured people unless they are in danger where they are.
• Check that nothing is on fire (keep a fire extinguisher in your car for emergencies) and that the vehicles do not pose a danger to other traffic or pedestrians. If a car is immobilised in a dangerous position, put out warning triangles.
• Make a record of all the details and evidence at the accident scene, so that you can include them when you report the accident to the police. You’ll need a police report with these details to support any third-party insurance claims or claims for damages in court.

Information to collect in different scenarios

Third-party claim for a property collision

If a vehicle has collided with your boundary wall, or crashed through your wall and damaged other structures on your property, you’ll need to collect the following details to claim from your third-party insurance cover:

• The full name of the driver.
• Their contact information, including their address and telephone number. Call the number on the spot, if you can, to ensure that it’s correct.
• A picture of their driving licence, if you have a camera, or make a note of the licence number.
• The names and contact details of any witnesses who were present at the time of the accident.
• The vehicle’s make, model, colour, numberplate, and licence disc on the windscreen.
• Photos or video of the scene, if possible, including the vehicle’s position and all damage.
• A case number – open a police case on the accident and take down the case number. If the police are on the scene, get the attending officer's name.

Third-party claim for a vehicle collision

If you've been involved in a car accident, you’ll need:

• The full name or names of the other driver or drivers involved.
• Their addresses and phone numbers. Verify them at the scene by calling them.
• Their insurance details, if they have insurance. Make a note of their insurance company and policy number.
• The make, model, colour, numberplate, and licence disc details of the other vehicle or vehicles.
• The details of their driving licence(s). Take a picture of the other licence(s) if you have a camera, or make a note of the licence number(s).
• A note of the date, time, and location of the accident. Take photos of the scene if you can – including the positions of all vehicles and the damage to each vehicle.
• The names as well as the contact details of any witnesses who were present at the time of the accident.
• A report number – file a police report and take down the report number. If police are called to the scene, write down the attending officers’ names and badge numbers.

First-party claim for pothole damage

Insurance cover for pothole damage is essential for South African motorists, no matter how much we might resent it. Even if you spot a dangerous pothole ahead, oncoming traffic or road conditions might make avoiding it impossible, so you need protection against burst tyres, buckled rims, or wheel alignment and suspension damage. The only consolation when your car comes to grief in a pothole is the fact that you don’t have to collect any third-party information.

Instead, you’ll need the following to claim on your insurance:

• The exact time and date of the accident.
• The precise location of the pothole, including nearby landmarks or street signs.
• Contact information and statements from any witnesses who saw the incident.
• Clear photos of the pothole (if you have a camera with you), showing its size, depth, and location, and photograph the damage to your vehicle from multiple angles.

What if you’re an uninsured third party in an accident?

If you’re not at fault for an accident that causes damage your car, but you’re not insured, you can either make a claim with the small-claims court (for amounts of R15,000 or less), or lodge a claim for a larger amount in the magistrate’s court. You’ll need all the details and evidence listed above, and it’s in your best interest to consult a lawyer for advice on your specific situation before you take any legal action.

Nedbank can help you take care of all your vehicle insurance and other short-term insurance needs.