Here's what you should do if you get involved in a road crash

Every person has a story about their first road crash.

And while they say you aren't a "real driver" until you’ve been in one, you can, in fact, drive all your life and never experience getting into a crash.

But let's say you were checking the flow of traffic on your left to make a right turn and didn’t notice the motorcycle that conveniently decides to carve you up on the right.

You collide and knock the rider off-balance a little bit, but the bike didn't fall over.

What do you do, then?

Find an enforcer

First and foremost, don’t panic.

Make sure to calmly assess the damage and check if anyone is hurt. The priority is to seek medical attention for any injured people.

Also, find a traffic enforcer or police officer immediately. You cannot move your vehicles unless you get their approval because the position and location of the collision must be documented.

And remember to not get confrontational. Let cooler heads prevail and let the authorities manage the situation.

Settle with the other party

Minor bumps can be settled at the roadside  – just tell the authorities that you've made a deal with the other party and you can be on your way.

Make sure to get whatever deal you made in writing and to exchange contact details with the other party. 

But if you plan to charge the damage to your insurance provider, you must go to the nearest police station and have an investigator draft a notarized police report with photos.

Don't forget, however, that your monthly insurance premium will go up if you file a claim.

Expressway shunts

What if you collided with someone on an expressway?

This is far more serious than a simple conversation, given the high speed of highway crashes. Above all else, do not get out of the vehicle immediately.

In your shock, you may not realize it, but you’re a sitting duck on the expressway and getting out may not only result in more injury, but certain death.

Most cars nowadays are fitted with emergency engine immobilizers, which kill the engine in case of a collision. But to be sure, turn your engine off.

Next, assess where you’ve ended up on the expressway – which side of the car is closest to the guardrail?

If the driver’s side is closer, as is the case with the center median, then you and all your passengers must exit via the driver’s side. If the passenger’s side is closer, exit through that side. 

Once you’re out of your vehicle, check yourself for any injuries – shock blocks most pain receptors, so you wouldn’t realize your injury until your brain perceives it using a different sense.

If you’re clear of any injuries or you’ve fortunately only sustained a few cuts and bruises, then call the proper authorities. Make sure to carefully check other vehicles involved.

But if a motorcycle is involved, check on the rider. If he or she was thrown from his motorcycle, make sure to restrict the rider's movements in case of a spinal injury.

Regardless of whether or not you crashed into someone or someone crashed into you, just follow these steps and you’ll be fine.

AutoFun Philippines Senior Writer VJ Bacungan contributed to this story.