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Getting stuck in an accident can be stressful - and if you’re the innocent driver it can be even more daunting. When the accident is caused by another driver, you are eligible to file a “not at fault” car accident claim - but there are certain steps that you will need to follow to ensure your claim is successful.

Document the accident - take photos!

While you are still at the accident scene, be sure to take as many photos as possible. Record the damage to the vehicles as well as the area in which the accident took place. Documenting what happened in photos can help the insurance companies fully understand what happened and make it easier for them to determine fault.

Did anyone witness the accident?

Take a look around and notice if anyone may have seen - or recorded - your accident. Witnesses can help paint a better picture of the accident. Even better is having access to CCTV footage or dashcam footage of your accident. If you notice anyone around be sure to ask for their information to pass on for your insurance claim.

Call Carbiz as soon as possible - 1300 889 256

It’s important to call our team as soon as possible - we will be able to help you through gathering everything you need to while still at the accident scene to  organising a tow vehicle to tow your car safely away. Our team is available round the clock on our dedicated accident support line, just give us a call - we’ll help you.

Not at fault? You may be eligible for an accident replacement vehicle at no cost

In Australia you have the right to drive - this means that if you’re deemed to be not at fault, you are entitled to a like-for-like accident replacement vehicle at no cost (the cost is covered by the at fault driver). There are terms and conditions to the right to drive - such as being in an accident where more than one car was involved and having the at fault driver’s details available. Our team at Carbiz has years of experience and knowledge and we’ll be able to help you with your successful claim, give us a call as soon as possible!

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you

Not all accidents are big ones - in fact, the majority of accidents are only minor with minor damage. Bumper bashings and parking lot smashes can lead to only minor damage but it’s a good idea to still get it seen to. Here’s why:

A major fault could be lurking

Even a seemingly minor accident can cause a major fault that may be invisible to the naked eye. Sometimes internal systems can be damaged - such as your engine’s warning systems, or cracks in the car’ frame can occur. Damage can even happen to your airbag systems making them useless for any future accident. It’s important to take your car into a repair shop to get a once over inspection done and make sure that your car A-OK!

Fault - it matters

Fault is determined by a number of factors - decided on by professionals - and indicates the driver who will be liable for the costs caused by your car accident. Fault is important to determine - and if you were not the driver who caused the car accident then you will be able to submit your insurance claim to recover your costs. If you believe that you were not at fault then be sure to gather the necessary information at the accident scene and exchange details with the at fault driver.

Not my fault - You have the right to drive

If you were not at fault then you have the right to drive. This means that you can put through your insurance claim for the costs associated with the accident - costs to repair your car and costs to hire an accident replacement vehicle are just two of such costs.

We’ll help you

Our team understands that you need help in this situation - from delivering your like-for-like accident replacement vehicle to a location convenient for you through to managing your not-at-fault insurance claim. We’ve simplified the process and try our best to make things easier for you - give us a call as soon as possible after your car accident, we’ll help you.

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you - 1300 889 256

We’ve all made note of the information that we must collect after a car accident - the other driver’s name and contact details, their insurance information, any witness information and details of the accident. But what happens if the other driver simply refuses to share their insurance details with you.

And what happens if you were not at fault?

It can be frustrating, but it can happen that the at fault driver refuses to cooperate after an accident - or it may be a simple case of forgetting to get this information while on scene.

Evidence you need to collect after an accident

We’ve previously shared an extensive list of details to collect after any car accident, here’s a quick overview.

• The other driver’s details (including their name and contact information, their car information (vehicle registration/model and make), insurance information)
• Photos of the damage as well as the area where the accident occurred
• Witness information and statements
• Any additional notes about the accident and the accident scene
• Any dashcam footage (your own footage or that of witnesses)

So what happens if you don’t get everything on this list - and what if the other driver refuses (or forgets) to give you their insurance information?

If you are not at fault, this information is critical to your successful insurance claim - our team at Carbiz needs all of this information to ensure that your claim is complete. In short, it’s a legal requirement that the other driver share their insurance details with you (and for you to share your details with them). If asking the other driver for their information doesn’t yield any results due to refusal or aggression, then you have the right to call the police for help - the other option is to make note of their vehicle as well as vehicle registration number and to call the police to report the accident. If it is an emergency, you should always call 000.

And it’s important to remember that if you need help after a car accident then you can give us a call! We’ll help you

Car seats save children’s lives - and it’s important to make sure that your child is properly strapped in before heading out. Did you know that there are laws and regulations around your child being properly buckled up?

Child seat laws in Australia are enforced by the individual states and territories. All jurisdictions require that children’s car seats meet the compulsory sections of the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754. So what are the rules?

• In Australia, children under 6 months must use a rear-facing car seat with an inbuilt seat harness. 
• Between 6 months old and 4 years old, children can use either a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat with an inbuilt seat harness.
• Children between 4 years and 7 years old must sit in forward facing child restraints (booster seat or car seat)  with an adult lap-sash seatbelt or child safety harness.
• After 7 years old, depending on their height, children should use their booster seat with an adult lap-sash seatbelt or a regular vehicle’s car seat and seatbelt.
• Seatbelts are not recommended for any individual shorter than 145cm.

It’s important to keep up with your growing child’s needs - when they outgrow one stage you need to move them into the next stage.

Car seat rules are truly based around the child’s size - so if they are smaller than the recommended age to go to the next stage, then it’s best to leave them in their current seat.

What happens if you get into a car accident?

If you’ve had an accident with your child in their car seat, then it’s safer to opt for a new car seat. Damage to their seat may not be visible and the seat may fail to protect against any other impact. 

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you 

What's more frustrating than being involved in a car accident where you were not at fault? Wondering how much all of it is going to cost you out of pocket.

It’s a little known fact that you have the right to drive if you are not at fault - what does that mean? Here’s a quick breakdown!

If you’re not at fault in a car accident with more than one car, then the at fault driver is liable for the damage caused by the accident - they’re also liable to cover the cost of an accident replacement vehicle for you while your car is getting repaired. As the not at fault driver, it is crucial for you to obtain the details of the at fault driver as well as to gather as much information of the accident while on the accident scene. This will assist in your insurance claim!

So what costs can you expect if the accident was not your fault?

As we mentioned, the driver at fault will be liable for costs - even for your accident replacement vehicle. The normal upfront costs of hiring a car will be invoiced to the at fault party or their insurance for payment. If you were not at fault, then you shouldn’t have to be out of pocket - the important thing to remember is that you have the right to drive. And with the right team on your side, you will be able to get back to life as quickly as possible.

It’s best to give Carbiz a call as soon as possible after your accident - we’ll be able to help you.

By working with an accident replacement car company, like Carbiz, your life will have as little disruption as possible - meaning that you are able to carry on with your normal day to day activities.

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you

One of the most stressful and anxiety-inducing events in one’s life is a car accident. No matter how the accident happened and regardless of who was at fault, it’s important to remain calm at the accident scene. 

Here are some things you can try to reduce your stress at the accident scene.

Take a moment to just breathe

Immediately following your accident - before you get out of your car, it’s a good idea to just take a moment to breathe and to check if you or any of your passengers are injured. It’s also important to take a quick look around your car and make sure it’s safe for you and your passengers to exit the vehicle. 

Call for medical assistance if anyone is injured

If anyone is injured and in need of medical assistance then it’s important to call for help as soon as possible.

Call our team - 1300 889 256

If you’re not sure what to do next, then give us a call. Especially if you are not at fault! Our dedicated 24/7 accident support line is available to you when you need us - we’ll help you. Our team will walk you through what to do as well as help organise a tow truck and an accident replacement vehicle which will meet you at the most convenient location for you.

Collect details from the other driver

It’s important to collect all of the relevant information while you are at the accident scene. Here is a list of things you need to make note of:

• Date and time
• Location
• Names and contact details of drivers, passengers
• Registration, make and model of vehicles involved
• Insurers of drivers involved

Know that if you are not at fault, then you’ll be right.

If the accident was not your fault, then you shouldn’t be the one inconvenienced. In Australia you have the right to drive. Call us to find out more!

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you 

1300 889 256

Everyone responds to car accidents differently - but the shock experienced from an accident is universal. Car accidents are never planned - and never intentional, whether you are at fault or not. But when you’re not at fault, it can be easy to feel like no one is there to help.

It's completely normal to feel shock after an accident. Shock can feel different for everyone - but here are the common symptoms to look out for:

• Feeling numb
• Experiencing shakiness
• Confusion
• Emotional distress
• Feeling afraid
• Unpredictable mood swings

Shock immediately after the accident will feel different to shock over the following days. Immediately following the accident, it’s important to focus on your breathing. Blurred decision making and confusion are also normal - so be sure to take a seat, drink some water and take a moment to gather yourself. This is all especially important if you were not at fault in the accident.

Some drivers can respond to shock by displaying anger, irritability and aggression. It’s important to steer clear of engaging in any conflict at the accident scene and to rather take a moment to calm the situation down. Anger can be brought on if the driver at fault feels guilty but it can also be brought on in the case of a not at fault driver feeling wronged by the situation. Anger and irritability are both valid emotions brought on by the shock of an accident - however it’s important to remember to not lash out at other drivers! If you ever feel unsafe at an accident scene, you have the right to call the police to come assist you.

Not my fault - what you need to do!

The moments after an accident are usually fright filled - dealing with the shock as well as other injuries can be scary for anyone. But as the driver not at fault it’s important to remember one thing - our team is here to help you. You need to call us as soon as possible on our dedicated accident support line, we’ll help you with everything.

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you

Driving will almost always come with some form of distraction - it’s unavoidable at times! But it’s all about minimising distractions as much as possible and keeping your focus on the road - and other drivers! By minimising the distractions directly affecting you, you’re more likely to be able to avoid that accident. Simple defensive driving skills or pure luck - first steps first, identifying what distractions are in your car and how to minimise their impact on your driving.

Types of distractions to be aware of

There are 4 different types of distractions to be aware of - not all of them are physical items in your car that take your attention away from the road!

• Manual distractions. Distractions that have your hands leaving the steering wheel to use.
• Visual distractions. Distractions on the road that pull your attention away from your journey.
• Cognitive distractions. Distractions that will have you thinking about something else entirely!
• Auditory distractions. Distractions where your focus has shifted to listening to something. 

Removing items in your vehicle that can distract you unnecessarily

Removing distractions from your car can help keep your focus on your journey - don’t get caught out and be cornered into an accident. There are so many more cars on the road so it’s important to keep your eyes fixed on what matters. And if you do find yourself in an accident that was not your fault, it’s important that you’re able to remember clearly what happened in the moments of the accident.

Tips to avoid distractions when driving

• Stop yourself from doing other things, keep your focus on your driving as well as on the other drivers around you.
• Keep your hands on the steering wheel, at all times!
• Tired? Rather take a break from your journey.
• Set your destination in your GPS before setting off.
• Put your phone out of reach.

Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you