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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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:
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:
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.
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!
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
Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you
If you’ve ever been stuck without your beloved car due to an accident then you know the struggles! And renting a car can be expensive - especially if you want to get a loan car similar to your own. Imagine needing to get groceries or pick up your child and (all of) their friends from soccer practice - things can get a lot more complicated if you’re without a car.
The good news is that if you’re not at fault and in Australia, then you don’t really need to worry! As the driver not at fault, you may be entitled to an accident replacement vehicle - at no expense - while your vehicle is being repaired. And on top of this, your car rental should be a like for like model - this is important to remember! But what does this all mean, and what do you need to know?
If you’re used to driving a 7 seater SUV that can carry all your kids back and forth then why should you settle for a city run-about if you’re not at fault? This is exactly why not-my-fault car insurance claims are important - if the other driver caused the accident, then you shouldn’t be the one living with the consequences of the accident. A like for like accident replacement vehicle is a loan car that is similar (and if you’re lucky enough!) the same as your own car that is now in for repairs - it’s really that simple. The cost, as we mentioned, is covered by the at fault driver or their insurance - with zero upfront costs payable by you.
So if you’re in a car accident tomorrow - and the other driver is to blame, then give us a call first. Our team will help you in every step of the way. Not-at-fault claims are not widely known about, making it even more important to work with a team - that is there to help you - right from the beginning.
Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you
Whether you’re planning a long trip out to a remote destination or simply running your weekly errands, your emergency car kit should ideally be stocked and in your car at all times - you never know what can happen on your next trip out.
The essentials for any emergency car kit
Spare tyre - Seems simple enough! But when last did you check the air pressure in your spare tyre? Make it a habit by checking the air pressure of all of your tyres - including the spare! Another top tip is to read up in your manual about your spare tyre. Some cars are fitted with a space saver which can only be used at a recommended safe speed - normally around 80km/h maximum.
First aid kit - A simple first aid kit that is easily accessible is always handy in emergencies. You never know when you might hurt yourself - and if you happen to drive past an accident scene, it may come in use for someone else in a time of need.
A towel - A strange recommendation but a towel can come in handy in a lot of situations. It could be a simple grocery spill that needs to be cleaned up or it could be in a more serious situation such as in a car accident to cover broken glass.
Spare cash - we’re not talking a lot of spare cash, just a spare $20 - $50 to help you in a pinch. Imagine being stuck without your wallet and needing fuel.
A high visibility vest and hazard triangle - These high visibility essentials are great to have in your car if you break down unexpectedly. They will help you to easily alert other drivers that you are on the road, that there’s a hazard to be aware of and potentially in the way.
Car accident guide and Carbiz contact details - Our free and easy download “what to do in a car accident” is an essential to carry in your car. You never know when an accident can occur and this simple document will help you when you need it most. Keep it in an easily accessible spot in your car and give us a call if you get stuck in an accident, we’ll help you.
Need help after a car accident? We’ll help you
There is a process that you should follow after a car accident that was not your fault, one of the steps includes gathering evidence at the accident scene. Ever wondered what you need to gather?
Besides contacting our team immediately on our dedicated accident support line, it’s important to accurately record everything.
Besides gathering the other drivers reg and car details, it’s important to swap contact information and insurance details. If you have any struggle swapping details with the other driver then it’s important to contact the police to assist.
Gathering evidence is just a way of recording the event. Photos are a great way to capture details that you may forget to mention later on. It’s important to snap some pictures of the accident itself, the damage to the vehicles as well as the scene around the car accident. Your phone is perfect - it will automatically record the date and time which may be used later on during your insurance claim process.
Evidence can also include what others saw. Be sure to ask any witnesses for their contact details - while witnesses aren’t legally obligated to give statements, it’s always a great idea to ask.
While your accident is still fresh in your mind, it’s important to make notes about your accident - things that you can remember and the sequence in which they happened.
Recorded footage can assist your insurance claim. If you have footage of your accident then be sure to save it. Ask any other drivers if they have any footage of the accident - or even the time leading up to your accident. While you can’t be sure what is relevant or not until your claim is closed, it’s critical to gather everything you can upfront.