What to do if your teen is involved in a car accident

We all want our children to be safe at all times, and when they become teenagers, and specifically when they become old enough to drive a car, the worry about their safety can certainly escalate. Even if your teenager is extremely careful and is an excellent driver, accidents can still happen; there is no accounting for other drivers on the road, or the weather, or a freak event such as a tree toppling over onto the road, for example.

Although you are sure to worry, allowing your teenager the freedom they need once they start driving is important; you can’t be with them all the time. Just as important, though, is to know how to handle things if they are involved in an accident. They are still young, and they will turn to you to help, so knowing what to do in advance is going to be hugely beneficial. Read on to find out more.

Emergency Services

Depending on the severity of the accident, it might be that the emergency services need to be called. The police, fire, and ambulance services can all help when it comes to the aftermath of a car accident, and 999 is the first number you should call when you know what has happened.

Bear in mind, though, that the emergency services don’t need to be involved if it was just a small accident and if no one was hurt. You’ll know what constitutes an emergency, so use the extra help only when you need it.

Insurance

One phone call or online form that will need to be completed is contacting your teenager’s insurance company. It makes no difference who was at fault, the insurers will need to know what happened. This involves having a clear head and giving precise details that only speak of the facts and nothing more.

If you are not with your teenager, make sure that they know who they need to contact and what information they’ll need to give. Ideally, have a copy of the insurance certificate in the car. This way, if it’s needed, the phone number, policy number, and any other details will be right there. Your teen can also hand this copy over to the other person involved when the two drivers are swapping insurance details.

Find a Solicitor 

Depending on what has happened, you might need the assistance of solicitors west midlands, for example. They will be needed if the other driver is not giving across any details or co-operating with the insurers, or if there is more to claim for than just the damage to the car, such as emotional trauma and loss of income.

As with the emergency services, not every accident will need a solicitor, but knowing how to find a good one could be crucial and it’s something to consider in advance.

Don’t Blame Them

Car accidents are frightening, even the smallest ones, and your teenager is going to be feeling bad about what happened. Don’t make things worse for them by becoming angry and blaming them for the accident – the very point of an accident is that it can’t be predicted, and mistakes happen all the time. You’ve probably made a similar mistake when driving yourself, even if it didn’t lead to an accident.

As a parent, you need to be there to help, to comfort, and to guide, and after an accident this is more important than ever.