Even if you obey all traffic rules and regulations, you can be involved in an accident. If this happens to you, it is good to know what to do in that case. With your actions you might even save people’s lives!
Are you involved in an accident?
- Never leave the scene of the accident without leaving your details.
- Never leave an injured person in a helpless condition. ‼️
Actions after an accident in 10 steps
| … | … | … |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Stay calm | ||
| 2️⃣ Bring yourself and others to safety | ||
| 3️⃣ Warn approaching traffic | ||
| 4️⃣ Asses the situation and get the right help | Injured? Call 112 | 5️⃣ Provide first aid |
| Lots of damage, unsafe situation? Call the police (0900-8844) | ||
| Slight body damage? Handle it yourself, no need to get police involved | ||
| 6️⃣ Take photos of the situation and damage | ||
| 7️⃣ If possible, drive the car(s) to a safe place on the right of the roadside. | ||
| 8️⃣ Report the damage | ||
| 9️⃣ Leave your details |
🔟 Afterwards: Inform your insurance. If you have any complaints, please contact your doctor. If necessary, seek legal assistance.
Calmness can save you
If you are involved in an accident, you may experience (strong) emotions, such as fear or panic. When it happens to you, try to remain calm. Then you are able to do what is necessary.
Your own safety and that of others
In order to help others, you must first ensure your own safety. So check yourself for injuries and see how to get out of the car safely. Don’t run unnecessary risks. Then check whether you can help other people involved to a safe place at the side of the road.
⛔️ It is better not to move victims if they are sitting or lying in a place where there is no other traffic. This can worsen the injury.
Warn other traffic
Is the roadway (partially) blocked after an accident? Then, to prevent further accidents, it is important that you warn approaching road users. ‼️
Place warning triangles and turn on your hazard lights. Leave your lights on in the dark or in bad weather.
Assess the situation and provide targeted assistance
After everyone has been brought to safety, try to assess the situation.
- Someone is seriously injured and possibly in danger of death. Call 112. Start providing first aid (see First aid in the event of an accident).
- Is no emergency care required and is there no dangerous situation due to debris? Call the general police number: 0900-8844.
- Is there only minor damage to the exterior and is there no danger to anyone? Then complete the claim form together. There is no need to call the police.
Capture (damage information), move safely
If the vehicles involved can still drive after the accident, it is best to take them to a safe place on the side of the road (preferably on the shoulder) as quickly as possible.
Try to record the situation before the cars are moved. For example, take photos of the situation and damage with your cell phone. These photos can later help in the reconstruction of the accident.
Report damage and leave details
Note: you are legally obliged to leave your details to the driver of the other vehicle.
If you are involved in an accident, complete a European Damage Form (Europees Schadeformulier) together with the other driver involved.
You complete the front together on the spot, it will contain your details and those of the other driver. You both sign the form. The form can then be split into two and each person involved receives a share. You complete the back of the form at home.
Is there only bodywork (ie. vehicle) damage? Then, instead of completing the European Damage Form, you can also report your accident via mobielschademelden.nl.
European Damage Form
Dutch: Europees Schadeformulier
Single-vehicle accident? Report it to the police.
Have I ever been hit by something without anyone else around?
If a road user was involved, this is called a single-vehicle accident. If you drive into a stationary car, try to find the owner of the car or leave a note with your details. Always report your collision to the police.
If you do not do this, it will be considered a crime. ‼️
Afterwards
Was there only damage to the bodywork (ie. vehicle)? After you have completed the damage form, check whether you have left the accident scene tidy. Once at home, inform your insurer, contact your doctor if you have any complaints and, if necessary, contact your legal assistance.
First aid
Do you want to (or probably have to) provide first aid?
Then follow these five important steps. ‼️
Step 1) Stay alert to danger
When you provide assistance, pay attention to your own safety first. Don’t take unnecessary risks. This way you prevent yourself from becoming a victim.
Step 2) Find out what happened and what is wrong with the victim
Take stock/account of the situation and the victim’s complaints. This is valuable information for professional care providers and increases the chance that the victim will receive the right help.
Step 3) Reassure the victim and provide shelter
Reassure the victim, this makes it easier to provide assistance. Introduce yourself and talk to and listen to the victim
For the privacy of the victim and for protection from the cold, arrange shelter with the help of umbrellas or blankets (ask bystanders for help for this). Move the victim as little as possible.
Step 4) Get professional help.
Call emergency services (or have a bystander do this).
Call 112 in case of emergency and the general police number 0900-8844 in less serious cases.
Please provide the following information:
- Your name
- The precise location of the accident
- What happened
- The number of victims
- The injuries/complaints
Step 5) Help the victim.
Start by providing assistance to the victim where the victim lies. Do not move the victim (unless the victim is in an unsafe location).
Basic components of First Aid in the event of an accident In order to provide first aid, it is important that you know the basics.
- The Rautek grab (safe relocation of the victim)
- What to do in case of shock?
- Keep someone conscious.
- Stopping external bleeding.
- How do you give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?
- Heart massage. (CPR?)
- How do you put someone in the recovery position?
- What do you do with burns?
- What do you do in case of broken bones and dislocations?
Follow-up / aftercare
Become involved in an accident, provide first aid to a victim or undergo first aid yourself; These are all intense events that can have a major impact at the moment itself, but also afterwards.
Talking about your experiences helps in that case. And you can’t figure it out yourself? Then seek professional help.
Extinguishing a fire
In the Netherlands, having a fire extinguisher in your car is not mandatory. But it is always safer.
Secure the fire extinguisher in a holder so that it does not roll around in your car. Mount the holder in a visible place. This way you can easily grab the extinguisher when you need it.
- Check whether the fire extinguisher is sealed (if it has not yet been used).
- Check the expiry date.
- Fires are divided into 4 fire classes.
Check the fire extinguisher to see which type of fire it is suitable for.
Extinguishing a fire safely
- Fire with the wind.
- Extinguish a burning surface from front to back.
- Extinguish dripping liquids from top to bottom.
- Preferably extinguish with several extinguishers at the same time. This is better than one at a time.
- Please note: a fire can spontaneously flare up again.
- Replace extinguishers after use.
Car in water
Every year, about 750 cars end up in the water. About 60 of those cases with fatal consequences.
Read here how to safely leave a car that has fallen into the water.
Leave a car safely in water in 5 steps:
- Stay calm.
- Do not switch off the ignition. Turn on all the lights in your car. This makes your car more visible.
- Open all side windows (and the skylight). If the window doesn’t open, hit it with the emergency hammer.
- Loosen your seat belt. Cut this loose if opening is not possible (the emergency hammer has a seatbelt cutter)
- Leave the car through the open window and swim away backwards so that you can see the car.
Emergency hammer
An emergency hammer has a sharp, metal point for breaking a window and a knife for cutting your seat belt if necessary (be careful if you are hanging upside down). An emergency hammer is not mandatory, but it is wise. Keep it within reach.