Being in a car accident is never a part of the plan. However, sometimes the unexpected can happen and a collision with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or even a road sign can put you in a dangerous position.
Whether you're a passenger, behind the wheel, or simply a bystander, it's important that you understand how to best respond in the case of a vehicle crash in Port Moresby. This means preparing for the worst, keeping safe, and knowing how to apply for a claim on your car insurance policy.
Reduce your risk of injury
The potential for lasting damage to your body or mind is considerable when driving on unsealed and dangerous roads – even more so if you're driving in mountainous roads. That's why it's crucial that you take every precaution to ensure that, should you end up in an accident, injuries will be minimal.
You can start on this by making sure all seat belts in your car work, and are worn by yourself and passengers at all times. Ensure that your vehicle is in road worthy condition and that you have the vehicle regularly serviced by a licensed mechanic. This means keeping you safe and will provide better protection in the case of an incident. We have a number of driving safety tips worth keeping in mind.
Prioritise your safety
In the event of an accident, it's important to first guarantee your own safety before you attend to that of others. Here are a few simple do's and don'ts to help you ensure your safety:
- Don't let your emotions get the better of you – try to keep a level head and focus on what needs to be done.
- Be careful on the road – don't get out of the car until you've checked that other vehicles aren't arriving on the scene or driving recklessly around it.
- If a vehicle seems at risk of catching fire, stay clear of it and report it as soon as possible.
- Call 1567 or 7051 6196to contact the medical emergency services in the case of serious injury.
Leaving the scene of the crash quickly may be the best way to ensure your safety.
Here in Papua New Guinea, crashes in crowded areas can cause huge unrest among the public. If nearby pedestrians or other drivers seem to be getting angry, start yelling, or accusing any party they perceive to be responsible for the incident, we advise that you vacate the area as quickly as possible and report to the nearest police station. Unfortunately, this kind of event can lead to a very intense situation, so leaving quickly may be the best way to ensure your safety.
In cases like this, contact the police. By evacuating to the nearest police station and reporting the event, or contacting emergency services, you're likely to stop the situation from becoming any more severe than necessary.
Get the information you need
While it can be difficult to retain information following an accident, it's important you make an effort to remember key details of the event. These will come in handy for you when you go to make your insurance claim. If emergency services attended to the incident, it's likely that they will have official documentation of it which will help in the claims process.
If you are involved in an accident it is most important that you do go to the police station and report it, this is a requirement of your insurance policy and you must obtain a police report which will be available to you.
We recommend contacting Trans Pacific Assurance as soon as possible to make your claim, so that you don't forget anything crucial. You can make a claim by completing the form on our website, contacting us by email (info@transpacific.com.pg), phone (321 6808) or fax (321 6528). After this, a member of our claims team will get in touch to fill in any gaps of information.
Of course, in order to receive a protection for your claim, you must first have car insurance. Getting cover for collisions and other road incidents will prepare you and your finances for the worst. Get in touch with us at Trans Pacific Assurance Ltd. to discuss coverage options.
