Car accidents can be complicated - sometimes it’s more than one driver who is at fault for the accident. What happens in this situation?
There is one driver who is at fault - and it was not you
In this case it’s generally a simple open and close case - the driver at fault will be liable for the costs associated with the accident, such as the cost of damage repair, cost of accident replacement car hire and cost of towing.
What happens if you are partly at fault?
Sometimes, more than one driver is at fault. This can happen, for instance, if you and another driver hit each other while simultaneously changing lanes. Depending on the exact circumstance and the evidence that you are able to provide, it may be proven that you are both deemed negligent. Determining the extent of ‘contributory negligence’ is subjective and dependent on the evidence - this is where the experts in this field can help you. Depending on how your negotiation goes, you will be liable for a percentage-of-fault split that is mutually agreed upon. All costs are then proportionately split between you and the other driver.
How to handle an accident that was not your fault?
As inconvenient as accidents are, you are in good hands with the team at Carbiz. As the driver who is not at fault, we’ll help you. It’s best to call us as soon as possible on our dedicated accident support line - we’ll be able to help you on the scene as well as organise towing of your damaged vehicle to the repair shop. We will even meet you there with your like for like accident replacement vehicle - yes it is that simple! If you aren’t at fault, then you shouldn't be left out of pocket or inconvenienced.
Call our team, we’ll help you 📞1300 889 256
Have you ever had an accident and been faced with a large insurance excess bill at the end of it? Here’s a bit more about your car insurance excess.
Car insurance excess is the fixed amount you pay towards your accident claim - this amount is set out in your insurance certificate. Depending on the type of incident and your insurance terms, you could be liable to pay more than one excess.
Some examples of types of excess include your basic excess and driver age excess, amongst others. Basic excess would be the minimum amount you’d be required to pay if you put through an insurance claim where you’re at fault. The actual amount of your basic excess will depend on the state or territory and your specific premium.
So what's the purpose of your insurance excess?
Your car insurance excess is designed to eliminate small claims with high administrative cost relative to the cost of the claim - or rather, to eliminate smaller claims. Paying an excess relates to each and every incident that results in an insurance claim.
Car excess is usually paid in one lump sum - and not in instalments. It’s important to keep this in mind!
It matters who was at fault!
You won’t have to pay an excess if the accident is deemed a no-fault accident. Not at fault and need help? Contact our team as soon as possible!
Not sure who was at fault?
Before making your claim, it’s important to have a clear understanding of who was at fault. This is sometimes not clear and help is needed. Working with Carbiz, we can help you with your claim. As the driver involved in the accident, you will need to provide enough evidence from your car accident. Evidence includes the other driver’s details, photos from the accident scene, witness statements as well as gathering a few other important details. We’ve outlined these in a previous post.
While car accidents take mere seconds to happen, the aftermath can take ages to fix and sort out - especially if you were not at fault, but it doesn't have to be! With the right team on your side, an accident that was not your fault doesn’t need to leave you out of pocket and without a car. We’ll help you, just give us a call!
So how should you make that claim if it was not your fault?
When it comes to car accidents, one of the most essential questions is who’s at fault - this is because the driver who caused the accident is liable for the costs to repair the resulting damage. Such costs can include towing, repair and the cost of an accident replacement vehicle.
The first and most crucial step - regardless of who you’re working with to help you with your claim - is to make sure you collect enough evidence while on the scene. If you’re unsure about what to do at the accident scene, you can give our 24/7 accident support line a call.
Besides getting pictures, it’s also a great idea to gather the following information
The next step is where things can get a bit tricky - an insurance claim needs to be made. But as the driver not at fault, who do you contact? Your insurance, the at fault driver’s insurance? Neither? Your best step is to call us as soon as possible - our team are experts in handling these types of claims to get you the best deal, not the insurer!
We’ll help you tow your car from the accident scene, get a like for like accident replacement vehicle and manage your insurance claim until your vehicle is repaired and handed back to you.
Give our team a call, we’ll help you 📞1300 889 256
With over 3 million electric cars operating globally, where do we stand here at home? EV’s only make up about 0.2% of the total vehicle fleet here in Australia, so let's investigate how we are tracking.
While there are several options on the market to have you driving away in an electric vehicle, it would seem that a large part of the market is reluctant to make the switch - the good news is that it’s slowly changing! And it’s now expected by 2040 that 70% of new vehicle sales will be for EV’s.
By state the picture is quite varied. Victoria has the highest electric vehicle ownership with 1324 EVs bought between 2011 and 2017 - but NSWs is close behind!
Australia is currently ranks quite low internationally when comparing the total percentage of EVs on the road compared to the overall number of cars. The global leaders include Norway and USA.
So why is this? Well there are a couple of reasons. One of the reasons for the slow adoption of EVs in Australia can be linked to the low incentives to do so. The lack of government policies and financial incentives compared to other countries is notable.
Another reason for the slow uptake has a lot to do with pressure points around the current infrastructure. By far people's biggest concern when purchasing an electric vehicle is whether there is enough infrastructure to support an increase in electric vehicles. But the good news is that there is a lot of optimism - and the future looks bright!
Carbiz is expanding its own range of Tesla accident replacement vehicles. Need help? Contact us! 📞1300 889 256
Have you ever driven up to an intersection and had a sudden doubt about who’s right of way it is? Knowing who should give way in every situation can be tricky - especially for new drivers!
Here are a couple of scenarios and the best way to handle them.
Roundabouts - did you know? You should give way to all drivers already in a roundabout. If two cars stop at the same time to enter the roundabout, the driver to the right has right of way.
At an uncontrolled crossroad, or one without signs, you should give right of way to any vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, straight across or turning left.
If you find yourself driving on a road that ends in a T-intersection, then you are required to give way to everyone travelling through the intersection.
Intersections with stop and yield signs - it’s important to remember that as a driver arriving at the intersection, you must give way to all vehicles on the road first before giving way to each other. If you are facing a yield sign and a driver is turning right across your path, then they have right of way.
Did you know that if the speed limit is 70km/h or less, you must give way to a bus that has a give way sign on the back of it? Such instances include when the bus is re-entering traffic from a stop or from the side of the road.
If you’re parked and are looking to re-enter traffic, you need to give way to all other moving traffic and signal for a minimum of 5 seconds before entering or merging.
So if you’re caught in an accident that was not your fault or you’re not sure who was at fault, then give our team a call. As experts we’ll be able to help you.📞1300 889 256
Let’s face it - we all love to travel with our furry friends! And while many of us consider them part of our family, there are many of us that are unaware of the rules that apply to our dogs when driving with them.
Rules and regulations that regulate how you travel with your beloved pets are important - it can be incredibly distracting and dangerous to have your dog moving around the car!
In 2013, Australia actually introduced stricter road rules outlining where your dog should be seated and how to be safer when traveling with your four legged friend. Here are a few of the rules - but it’s important to remember that no matter what state you are traveling in, it’s prohibited to drive with your dog seated on your lap.
In our own state, NSW, police can fine and issue demerit points if you break this law. It’s generally accepted that:
These regulations are in place to keep both you and your furry friend safe - but be warned, if you get caught in breach of these rules, the RSPCA has authority under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to issue hefty fines if an animal is injured due to being unrestrained. You could even face jail time.
So how should you properly restrain your dog? Restraining your dog while driving is essential to decreasing injuries should you be involved in a car accident - whether you’re at fault or not. Even accidents that were not your fault could have serious implications for your unrestrained pup.
The best restraints for your four legged animal will depend on their size. Most pet stores sell harnesses that attach to your seatbelts, but you could also investigate a crate. And while there are no rules about seating your pup in the front seat with you, it’s advisable to give this a miss - airbags when deployed can seriously injure your dog and can even be potentially fatal.
Whether it's a breakdown or an accident that was not your fault, sitting on the side of the road can be more dangerous than you may think.
What should you do if you are in an accident that was not your fault?
While you may be pretty shaken up, it’s important to remain calm. If you’re not sure what information to exchange, how to get your car towed or even who to call first, then just breathe and remember that the team at Carbiz is on hand! Our dedicated accident support line is only a call away, we’ll help you.
Here are some tips to keep you safer on the side of the road
Not at fault? Call our team, we'll help you 📞1300 889 256
Driving while distracted has become common practise - but it's a dangerous driving behaviour brought on by bad driving habits.
Here are a few bad habits that you should drop today.
Keeping your mobile phone handy while driving
If your phone is easily accessible while driving, you will be more likely to grab for it if you get a notification. Using your mobile phone while driving will ultimately lead to distracted driving. Leave your phone out of reach.
Not wearing a seatbelt properly
It’s easy to think that putting your seatbelt on is a waste of time - and perhaps you don’t find it the most comfortable accessory. However, it’s incredibly important to wear your seatbelt correctly at all times to ensure your safety in the event of an accident.
Eating and drinking while driving
Eating and drinking while driving may stop you from being able to quickly react to a sudden emergency. If you’re desperately hungry or thirsty, consider taking a well deserved break from your journey.
Watch your footwear - lose the thongs and heels!
Some forms of footwear are actually safer than others. While there’s no law or rule against certain types of footwear, thongs or heels can get caught under the pedals.
Accidents can happen in seconds - don’t let one occur in the split second that you are distracted.
Not at fault? We’ll help you
Accidents are such unexpected events - they can definitely rattle even the best of us. Ever wondered what the process is straight after your car accident, while waiting on scene? Now try to remember everything while being rattled and out of sorts! We’ve created a free guide that you can print and store in your glove compartment for just in case.
Here are a few reminders - and how to handle a situation where the other driver refuses to exchange their details.
So what happens if the other driver doesn’t want to exchange their details with you?
Well firstly, this is actually illegal - you are obligated to exchange details with the other driver following a car accident. You must stop after an accident and exchange information about yourself and gather information from everyone else involved. If you’re struggling with the other people involved in the accident, then you should call 000 for assistance.
What if you’re not at fault?
If you’re not at fault, we’ll help you! It’s important that you gather enough information about the at fault driver so that the costs associated with the accident can be recovered. The best case scenario is that you are able to gather all of the information identified. However, if the at fault driver is not obliging then gather what information you can. A description of the other car - and most importantly - the number plate details.
Not at fault? We’ll help you – just give us a call 📞 1300 889 256