4 Common Traffic Accident FAQ

Are you a road user in Queensland and been involved in a traffic accident?

If so, chances are you may be involved in a car accident at some point in your lifetime.

This can be a scary thought which is why it is so important that you keep yourself educated on what you should do in different accident circumstances.

This article will outline 5 common questions about car accidents that Queenslanders may ask and what you should do in each of the circumstances discussed.

Been involved in a traffic accident? Be referred to the best criminal lawyers on the Sunshine Coast

What Do I Do After a Traffic Accident?

So, you’ve just been in a traffic accident. You are likely highly stressed and have no idea what you should do.

First things first, try not to panic. This is, of course, much easier said than done but take a deep breath and attempt to gain your composure.

As soon as you have done this, it is time to call the police if necessary.

Dial 000 or triple zero and request to speak to the police so your call can be passed through to the appropriate emergency service.

Whether or not contact with the police is necessary depends on the circumstances of the accident in which you are involved.

The Queensland police force has an established criteria of circumstances of an accident that the police must be called to attend.

This criterion is established on the Queensland Police website, which states:

death or injury (requiring medical attention from a qualified ambulance officer, nurse, or doctor)
a hazardous environment or threat to public safety, including traffic congestion (e.g. fuel spill, power lines down).

If you happen to be a passer-by of an accident, you must also report to the police if the following criteria apply:

the suspected involvement of drugs and/or alcohol
a driver fails or has failed or is refusing to provide the required details
a driver with an impairment or disability requires police assistance.

If none of these circumstances applies to the accident you were involved in, the process is much simpler.

You should, of course, exchange information with the driver of the other vehicle for both insurance reasons and so you can keep in contact regarding any updates or new information about the crash that you may receive.

You should also arrange for the vehicle to be moved from wherever the accident may have occurred and again, if necessary, report the incident to the police within the following 24-hour period.

Finally, if your vehicle was left unattended for a period of time and you return to find minor damage has been inflicted on it, different action should again be taken.

In the circumstance that the individual responsible for the damage has left the scene without exchanging the appropriate information with you, report the matter to the police immediately.

Unlicensed or Uninsured Traffic Accident?

What happens if you are involved in an accident while uninsured or unlicensed?

If you are driving without either of the above you are automatically guilty of an offence, but in the case of a road accident more serious penalties will likely apply.

Queensland law, under the Motor Accident Insurance Act, establishes driving without registration as an offence, which includes without insurance by a third party.

If you are involved in a traffic accident and are found to be without insurance, consequences will certainly apply with a maximum penalty of an approximate $8,000 fine.

Driving unlicensed, including driving with a suspended license, will also incur harsher penalties if you are found to be involved in a traffic accident.

If you are involved in a traffic accident and believe the other driving to be unlicensed, there are some steps you should take to ensure justice is served.

If you believe another involved driver to be unlicensed, or are suspicious such is taking place, you should contact PoliceLink at 131 444. They will then take reasonable steps to decide whether or not the police should be on the scene of the accident.

What Information Do I Need to Provide to Other Parties?

A traffic accident has occurred, one that does not fall under the criteria in which you should contact the police, and the time has come to exchange information with other involved parties.

They, of course, do not need all of your information, only what is relevant to the incident.

So, what information should I give them? If involved in a crash, the Queensland police have an established list of “required particulars” which must, by law, be given to the other parties involved in the accident. This list states that you must give other parties your:

Full name
Home address
The full name and address of the owner of the vehicle. This only applies if the vehicle involved in the incident does not belong to you.
The registration number of the vehicle
Any other information about the vehicle needed to effectively identify it.

How Will the Police Be Involved?

There has been a crash and you need to know whether or not the authorities will be involved in the matter.

As stated, the police are only required to attend to the incident if the criteria mentioned have been met.

They will also be involved, however, if it is in the best interest of the public to do so.

This may mean that the crash was a result of dangerous driving, meaning the driver could potentially be a threat to the public.

Another situation that may be considered necessary for the police to attend for the interest of the public is if the accident has resulted in significant damage to public property.

The police are required to investigate, again, if specific criteria have been met, entitled the “police investigation criteria”. This criterion states the police will investigate if any of the following has occurred:

death or injury (requiring medical attention from a qualified ambulance officer, nurse, or doctor),
confirmed involvement of drugs and/or alcohol following attendance,
a driver fails, has failed or is refusing to provide required details.”

Traffic Accident Key Takeaways

Are traffic accident can be a stressful ordeal.

Between all the unknowns and the potential for a crash to occur by different means and in different circumstances, you may feel a little overwhelmed by “what if’s”.

This is why it is vital to the safety and well-being of all road users that you are aware of what you should do in different accident circumstances.