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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.

Slow down

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.

Park a bit further 

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.

Park between empty bays 

Reduce your chance of dents and dings by parking away from other cars, in parking spots with empty space around them. 

Don’t forget to indicate

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.

Take note of shopping trolley 

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.

Check on everybody

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. 

Move your car into a safe place

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. 

Call emergency and police services - if necessary

This step is important 

• If anybody is hurt,
• If another driver seems impaired by alcohol or drugs,
• If there are serious damage or danger,
• If the other party didn’t stop or refuse to give their details.

Exchange details and gather evidence

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.

Call for help

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.

Were you not at fault?

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

Reduce drag and friction

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. 

Declutter

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.

Make incline driving more efficient

Driving up hills can use more fuel than necessary - especially if you are accelerating unnecessarily. Avoid accelerating uphill and rather maintain your speed.

Avoid hard braking

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.

Use cruise control at its best

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.

Sure you’ve heard it before - distracted driving is dangerous. There are always awareness campaigns outlining the dangers of drinking and driving, speeding or even fatigued driving - but have you ever considered that you should never do this when driving?

Drive too slowly

Speed does kill - but did you know driving well below the indicated speed limit is also very dangerous. This is because other drivers may get confused with you - and may potentially even see your car as a stationary object. 

Brake when cornering

Did you know braking while cornering can be very dangerous? Braking can push your tyres beyond their limits, causing loss of traction and control of your vehicle. Rather brake before you start to corner.

Swat that bug

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents - distractions from mobile phones is well known but attempting to deal with a stray insect is just as dangerous.

Lose your temper

Road rage can be just as bad as drunk driving - stress, anger and anxiety can lower your inhibitions and increase your likelihood of giving in to risky behaviours such as speeding. 

Rubbernecking

Have you ever driven past an accident and taken a sneaky peak? This dangerous behaviour may just land you in a bit of trouble yourself! Even that second of lost focus can lead to an accident

Check your glovebox

Quickly taking your eyes off of the road to grab something out of your glovebox can have serious consequences - sure it sounds like a small enough task to do while driving, but in that split second something on the road can change. Rather get what you need when you have stopped.

When last did you consciously consider the rules of the road while driving? Unless you are especially new to driving, the answer is probably not in a while. Maybe you have an excellent memory or perhaps you’re a seasoned driver, no matter your background, it’s important to regularly check the current road rules before heading out.

How well do you know these rules of the road?

Merging

When driving on a road without lane markings and the number of lanes reduces, you must allow vehicles ahead of you to merge. On the other hand, if you are travelling in a marked lane which is ending and you are required to merge, you must give way to the traffic travelling in the lane being entered. 

High beam headlights

Did you know that you must not use your high beams if another vehicle is travelling within 200m behind, or 200m ahead of you.

Yellow traffic lights

Unless it is unsafe to stop, you must stop at a yellow light. 

School zones

Did you know that school zones are still in operation and enforceable during pupil free days? 

Pedestrians when turning

If you are turning at an intersection, and a pedestrian is crossing the road into which you are turning (where there is no pedestrian crossing) , you must give way. This applies at intersections but not at roundabouts.

Following distance

You need to ensure a safe following distance between yourself and the car in front of you. The rule indicates that you should drive at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. A safe following distance depends on your speed, the weather, road conditions and the type of vehicle you are driving. 

Many Australians still don’t actually know about the fact that if you are in a multi-vehicle accident and you were not at fault, then you don’t have to go without a car while yours is being repaired. This right to drive is not often spoken about, but it is important in assisting you to get back on the road as quickly as possible.
You read right - a “free” hire car while yours is in the shop being repaired. And what’s more, you are eligible for a like for like loan car - our team works hard at making sure you get the best deal, not the insurance company involved.
You’re probably wondering about how this all works - there’s no trick involved and no complicated process filled with red tape and massive delays. The steps following your car accident are actually pretty simple.

1. Apply online or call Carbiz
   Apply for a car online or by calling us and we will assess your application
2. Approval
   On approval of your application, we will deliver the accident replacement vehicle to you.
3. Return our car
   Return our car when yours is repaired.
4. Recover the loan
   We recover the loan costs with your assistance, from the at fault party.

Our team services the greater Sydney area. It’s best to contact us as soon as possible after a not at fault car accident. With our simplified process, we are geared to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

While a car accident is probably the last thing you prepare for - or want to happen - there is one silver lining that is not often spoken about. That is that when you are not at fault, you are eligible for an accident replacement car at no cost to yourself - in fact, the cost of such is covered by the driver at fault or their insurance company. So while Carbiz is busy attending to getting you back on the road, all you have to worry about is where your next journey will take you. 

There are some other benefits to accident replacement vehicles, especially when our team is assisting you - here are a few.

Delivery of your accident replacement car to where you are

Our team will drop off your loan vehicle to a location that suits you. We know you’ve got a lot to do - and our team is ready to help you.

24/7 local service and support

Accidents don’t always happen during business hours. With our accident support line, you will be able to reach our team as soon as you need the help.

A like for like accident replacement car

If you’re not at fault, you are eligible for a loan car that is similar to your own. There are many benefits of like for like accident replacement vehicles but the most important one is that you are able to get back on the road with as little inconvenience as possible.

If you’re not at fault, you don’t have to pay a cent!

The costs associated with your accident replacement vehicle are covered by the driver at fault - and provided that you are not at fault, you will not be liable. 

If you’re not at fault, then you have the right to drive. After your accident, we’ll help you by

• Sourcing quotes from repairers
• Recommending affordable repairers
• Providing great quality rental cars until your car is fixed
• Offering friendly, experienced 5 star customer service

Contact our team, we'll help you 📞 1300 889 256

Accidents are often the result of a split second error in judgement. Don’t get stuck in a situation that was not your fault. A regular review of safety tips while driving may just save you a heartache of trouble.

Driving an unfamiliar car? Take a moment to figure things out

Every car is slightly different - take a moment to locate all of the features such as which side the indicators are. If it's the first time in the driver's seat, it's crucial to adjust the seat to the perfect driving position as well as to make sure you can see all of your blind spots through the mirrors. If you find yourself in a sticky situation that could potentially lead to an accident that’s not your fault, these initial prep steps may just save you.

Take it easy during wet weather conditions

Weather conditions can drastically affect how you drive. Wet weather can lead to some pretty dangerous situations - the best advice? Take it easy and slow down. During wet weather, avoid braking suddenly and keep a safe driving distance between you and the car in front.

Give extra space to turning trucks

Trucks and trucks with tanks or trailers can take up a lot of space when turning. Remember to give them a bit of extra space - or even a full extra lane if you see one turning. Trucks are big and cumbersome - it’s important to remember that if you can’t see their mirrors then the driver cannot see you. Avoid an accident with the truck by giving extra space around you.

Always give way to emergency vehicles

It’s an important reminder to always keep a lookout for emergency vehicles - they can operate with sirens and lights or just lights. If you notice one around you, slow down and give way.