Stressed after an accident? Besides the stress of the post-accident trauma, you’re also probably worried about how long your car is going to be in the repair shop. Understandable - being off of the road, stuck without a car can really put a spanner into your plans.
Getting to work, making sure the kids get to school on time, picking up groceries - and all the other things you’ve got on your to-do list - being without a car is really not an option. There is a solution for you - an accident replacement vehicle.
Interested in learning how? There are a few different scenarios, we’ve investigated the most common ones below.
You were not at fault
If you were not at fault then there is a bit of good news. In Sydney, you have the right to drive. This means that you are able to get back onto the road as quickly as possible with an accident replacement car - costs to be covered by the party at fault. It’s important to remember that you will need to provide the at fault party’s details to the team at Carbiz so that we can assist you with your claim.
You were at fault but you don’t have replacement vehicle cover
If you were responsible for the car accident, you are liable for the costs involved - and if you do not have car hire cover, you will need to pay for the cost of an accident replacement vehicle should you want one.
You were at fault but you have replacement vehicle cover with your insurance policy
If you were at fault but you do have cover for accident replacement vehicle costs while your car is being repaired, then your insurer will take care of the costs. This all depends on your specific cover and insurance policy.
Need help after your car accident? We’ll help you. ?1300 889 256
Fault after a car accident is very important to determine. It determines who is liable for the costs incurred from the car accident. These costs can include towing, repair or replacement of your car, hire-car costs, and lost wages or profits for income-earning cars.
Sometimes, this can lead to a dispute on who is the liable party - so what should you do if you get into this type of dispute?
Immediately following your accident and once you’ve secured the scene by making sure no one is seriously injured (and if they are, you need to call 000), it’s important to follow these steps carefully as they make things easier later on:
Making the claim and determining fault
If you are not at fault, you may be entitled to a like for like accident replacement vehicle at no cost to yourself - but what is the process and how is this all handled? More often than not, fault is clear - either through admission of one of the drivers or following a quick investigation. Our team can help you with this - it’s important to wait for professional assistance when determining fault.
Disputes can happen - why and how to get through them
A dispute happens when the one of the drivers involved disagrees that it’s his/her fault. The steps following a dispute can be complex - and it’s advisable to have our team helping you through the process.
Not at fault? Contact Carbiz, we’ll help you. ?1300 889 256
Car accidents can really take their toll. Trauma experienced from a car accident can be both emotional and physical. Emotionally and mentally - it can take years to overcome the fear and anxiety from an accident. And while most accidents are minor without physical injury, it does happen. You can get seriously injured from a car accident - even if it wasn’t your fault.
If you’re injured in an accident that was not your fault then here’s what you need to know.
Immediately following your accident
First priority following an accident is to ensure that no further injury occurs. If you’ve been injured, it’s important to remain calm and to receive first aid and medical attention. If you have been injured, you do not have to drive or move your car if your injury affects your ability to drive or your car is no longer safe to drive.
It’s also important to make sure that you gather evidence from the accident scene. We’ve put together a list of things to gather. Here’s a quick recap
Seek medical help
If you’ve been injured, it’s important to seek help from a Doctor or GP who will assess your injury, prescribe any treatment(s) necessary as well as advise on recovery times. It’s also important to ask for a medical certificate about your current injury and fitness. There is a preferred form of certificate called a SIRA certificate of fitness. You will need this certificate should you want to make a claim.
To make a claim for personal injury suffered, you should contact the State Insurance Regulatory Authority for more information
It’s also important to remember that there is a time limit to make your claim, this can be as short as 28 days following your accident.
Not at fault? Contact Carbiz, we’ll help you. ?1300 889 256
The shock. The disappointment. The damage! The realisation that it wasn't your fault. In a split second things can happen - and car accidents can leave you wondering “what next”?
The first reaction of most after an accident is to immediately call their insurer, but what happens if the accident was not your fault? Does that change what you should do?
The truth is yes - it should.
Accidents that are not your fault shouldn’t leave you inconvenienced and out of pocket. The fact of the matter is that Australian common law has provided for this eventuality - you have the right to drive. With the right to drive, you may be entitled to the recovery of all the costs incurred as a result of your accident from the at fault driver (or their insurer should they have one).
The truth is that you are able to get back on the road as quickly as possible.
But it matters which team you use to help you - ideally, a team that can help you from the time at your accident scene right until your newly fixed car is delivered back to you.
There are a few things to remember when making a “not at fault” claim. There must be at least two cars involved and you must ensure that you’ve gathered all of the relevant details from the driver at fault - we’ve put together this handy list for you.
The team at Carbiz is ready to help you after your accident. Contact us as soon as possible and we can help with:
Not at fault? Contact Carbiz, we’ll help you. ?1300 889 256
Car accidents are never fun - especially if you are not at fault. And what’s worse than the other driver not stopping to exchange details? All drivers are obliged to stop after any type of car accident and exchange details - but this doesn’t always happen.
So what is a hit and run accident?
A hit and run accident can be as simple as coming back to your car after a shopping trip and finding a scratch down your bumper, with no note left - or as scary as those stories we hear of pedestrians being hit by a car and left for dead as the driver flees the scene.
A hit and run accident refers to any motor vehicle collision or accident where one of the drivers leaves the scene without exchanging details or checking to see if everyone involved is ok. It happens - and it generally happens when the fleeing driver is scared of any potential financial or legal consequences.
If the hit and run is your fault
If you collide with another car and flee from the scene, you won’t be able to claim from your insurance. By driving away, you have committed a crime and your insurance won’t cover any claim you put forward.
If your car is damaged and the other driver flees the scene
If you are the victim of a hit and run, and you have comprehensive car insurance then you will more than likely be covered. Your own comprehensive car insurance may cover damages to your car from a wide range of sources, including other drivers and car accidents.
If however you are found to be at fault, then you may need to pay an excess to make your claim. In order to be found “not at fault” you will need to provide evidence as well as details of the other driver - which is tricky in a hit and run situation. This is where things can become frustrating. There are a few ways that you can identify the other driver, including asking witnesses if they saw anything or finding CCTV footage of the area where your accident occurred. If you saw the other driver’s car make, model and registration, then you can pass this information onto the police and file a report.
Perhaps you are unlucky in finding or identifying the other driver and decide against making a claim for the damages, but you still need to let your insurance know about the accident. Here are the options you can follow if you can’t find the other driver
Not at fault? Contact Carbiz, we’ll help you. ?1300 889 256
A small car accident is still a car accident - even those that happen in the grocery store carpark. Don’t get caught unaware with these simple tips on how to avoid carpark accidents.
Carparks are filled with pedestrians, shopping carts, reversing cars and everything in between. These hazard filled zones should be treated with care - slow down and ensure that you keep focused on everything around you.
Everyone likes to park as close as possible to the entrance - more congested areas of parking are hot zones for minor accidents. The easiest and simplest way to avoid that carpark accident is to park further away and take a couple extra steps to get to the store.
Reduce your chance of dents and dings by parking away from other cars, in parking spots with empty space around them.
By indicating, you are letting other drivers (and pedestrians) around know in which direction you intend going. Simple enough right? Many often forget to use their indicators in carparks due to the slower pace and speed of everyone around but this can be more dangerous than the high speed alternative.
Shopping trolley can leave a nasty dent when you least expect it - especially on windier days. Be sure to keep an eye out for stray carts.
While they are unavoidable, accidents are something you need to be prepared for. A few basic things to remember - but more importantly, one important number to save on your phone and remember. ?1300 889 256
Here are a few things you need to do.
If you’re not injured, then take a moment to check on everyone else involved in the accident. If anyone has been seriously injured - unless they are in more danger.
Once you’ve made sure everyone is safe - and no one has been injured, it’s important to move your car off the road into a safer place.
This step is important
While a small accident won't need any emergency services, you will need to exchange details and gather evidence from the accident scene.
Some of the details you should get from the other driver involved includes their name, surname, address, insurance company, registration details and details of the vehicle owner (especially if this is a different person to the driver).
We’ve covered evidence before - read this to learn about things you need to gather while on scene.
More often than not, your car will need to go to a repair shop after an accident. And while your car is getting fixed, you will probably be left stranded. Did you know that you can call Carbiz and our team will help you with everything? From transporting your car to the repair shop and organising an accident replacement car for you to meet you where it’s convenient.
If the other driver caused the accident, then you have the right to drive. You may be eligible for a like for like accident replacement vehicle - with the costs covered by the driver at fault. This is important to remember - you shouldn’t be inconvenienced by an accident that was not your fault. Contact our team for more details, we’ll help you.
Smarter driving can help you to reduce your fuel bill - and whether it’s your own car you are driving or an accident replacement vehicle, a lower fuel bill is always a win!
Here are a few tips to help you
Anything that causes drag and friction on your car will increase your car’s fuel intake. Roof racks, open windows and underpressured tyres can all potentially impact fuel consumption.
Reducing your car’s weight load can reduce fuel consumption. Take a minute to clear out any heavy items that you’ve been driving around with.
Driving up hills can use more fuel than necessary - especially if you are accelerating unnecessarily. Avoid accelerating uphill and rather maintain your speed.
Abruptly braking can leave you stationary before you need to - meaning you will need to accelerate once again to move forward. Higher speeds, hard braking and lack of focus on the road are all part of higher fuel consumption. Rather take things easier on the road and avoid constantly stopping and starting.
Cruise control can definitely be more fuel-efficient on the open road - not as much in the city. On the open road cruise control eliminates the petrol-draining acceleration and deceleration of manual driving, saving you money.
Are you driving an unfamiliar car? Being in an unfamiliar car can be daunting - especially if you are worried about fuel consumption as well! We’ve put together a list of things that will help you ease into any new car.