Minibus Driving Tips: Handling Accidents and Navigating Minibus Insurance

Summary

Accidents involving minibuses can be stressful and chaotic. This guide offers essential advice on what to do immediately after an accident, including safety measures, information gathering, and insurance procedures. By following these steps, you can ensure the safety of your passengers and streamline the insurance claim process.

Immediate Actions Post-Accident

Ensuring Safety

1. Activate Hazard Lights: Turn on your minibus's hazard lights to alert other drivers. If you have a warning triangle, place it at least 50 meters away from the vehicle, but never use it on a motorway.
2. Assess Passengers: Check for injuries among your passengers. Do not move injured individuals unless there's an immediate danger, such as fire or oncoming traffic. If evacuation is necessary, guide passengers to a safe location away from the vehicle.
3. Call Emergency Services: If needed, contact emergency services immediately. Provide detailed information about the accident and any injuries. As the driver, you must remain at the scene until help arrives.
4. Report Injuries to Police: Any injuries should be reported to the police. Collect details of all vehicles and individuals involved in the accident.

Minor Accidents

If the accident is minor and does not involve other people, ensure there are no injuries and that your minibus is roadworthy before continuing your journey.

Information Gathering

Do Not Admit Liability

In the event of a serious accident, do not admit liability or apologize, as this can be interpreted as an admission of fault. Also, refrain from offering any form of payment.

Required Information

The law mandates that you provide your details to anyone affected by the accident. This includes your name, contact number, and the name of your insurance provider. A specialist minibus insurance provider, such as The Minibus Club, can offer further advice.

Recording Details

1. Vehicles Involved: Note the types of vehicles and their registration numbers. Obtain the names, addresses, contact numbers, insurance details, and policy numbers of the other parties involved.
2. Accident Scene: Record details about the weather, visibility, and road conditions. Estimate the speed of the vehicles before the accident. Document the location, date, and time of the accident. If the police are present, ask for an incident number.
3. Witnesses: Collect the names and contact details of any witnesses.

Staying Calm

The best advice in an accident is to remain calm. Losing your temper will not help and may exacerbate the situation. Your primary responsibility as a minibus driver is the safety of your passengers. A controlled approach will prevent further risks and ensure that the gathered details will be valuable for resolving any legal or insurance issues.

Interesting Statistics

• According to the UK Department for Transport, there were 1,752 reported road deaths in 2019, with minibuses accounting for a small but significant portion of these incidents. Source
• A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 94% of serious crashes are due to human error. Source

Conclusion

Handling an accident involving a minibus requires a calm and methodical approach. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure the safety of your passengers and streamline the insurance claim process. Remember, the details you gather at the scene are crucial for resolving any legal or insurance issues that may arise.

For more information on road safety and accident procedures, visit the UK Department for Transport and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.