What should I do if I'm involved in an accident?

Stop your vehicle immediately and give assistance to any injured person. If anyone is injured or if the estimated total property damage (except damage to a driver’s vehicle) exceeds $2,500 call the police, or if you are unable to do this notify the nearest police station as soon as possible.

Exchange names and addresses of the drivers and owners of the vehicles involved in the accident or any other person whose property is damaged as a result of the accident.

If one of the other drivers refuses to give their required drivers particulars (name, address, vehicle registration and enough information to identify their vehicle), but you have noted their registration number, you should report the accident to the police (regardless of whether the damage to your own vehicle exceeds $2,500). This is because  the other driver has failed to provide the details you need to claim against them either through your own insurance company or the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal  (QCAT)  to recover the cost of the repairs or the market value of your vehicle.

Exchange vehicle registration numbers and any other identifying features (make, model, colour).

Confirm the time and location of the accident with other parties. If the vehicles are not obstructing the flow of traffic they should not be removed until after the police have arrived. If they are obstructing the traffic they should be removed to the side of the road after the point of impact has been agreed upon and marked in the road where possible.

We suggest that you do not admit liability at the scene of the accident as this could have insurance implications.

If necessary tow trucks should be called and the road cleared of any glass or other rubbish that may cause a traffic hazard. Note that you are not obliged to have your car towed by tow trucks that arrive at the scene of the accident without being called. Tow trucks cannot tow a vehicle without a tow authority being signed, unless directed to do so by the police (the vehicle may be causing a further traffic hazard).

You are not obliged to give insurance or licence details to any other party, but you are required to give your licence details to the police if requested by them.