Do I Have To Wait For The Police After A Car Accident In NSW?

 If you have been involved in a car accident in New South Wales (NSW), you may be wondering if you have to wait for the police to arrive at the scene. The answer to this depends on how severe the accident was as well as other factors.
 
Generally speaking, if you have been involved in a minor accident, you don't have to wait for the police to arrive. The police may need to attend more serious issues and will not attend the scene.
However, if you have been involved in a more serious accident, then it is important to wait for the police so they can assess the situation. Let's explore both of these scenarios in more detail below so that you can be confident to know what to do in the unfortunate situation that you have a car accident in Newcastle.

When there has been a minor accident with no injury or little damage to property, then you do not need to wait for the police to arrive. In this case, you and the other driver(s) involved can exchange details, including names, phone numbers and vehicle registration numbers and handle it from there with your insurance companies.
 
You should also exchange insurance details, if applicable. It is also important to take photographs of the scene, as this can help if either party decides to make an insurance claim. It can also be helpful when one party remembers the events leading up to the incident differently to the other. Evidence of what really happened can be very critical.
 
An accident is usually considered 'minor' when:
 

• There has been a rear-end collision – where the front of one vehicle collides with the rear of another
• You've bumped another car when parking, reversing or leaving an intersectio
• Injuries aren't serious – common injuries from minor accidents include bruising and mild whiplash
  

If you have been involved in a more serious accident, then you should wait for the police to arrive, as they will be able to assess the situation and provide assistance if needed. The police will also be able to take statements from any witnesses to the accident and create an official accident report, which will be important if the accident goes to court.
 
An accident is usually considered 'major' when:
 

• There's been a head-on collision
• There's been a multi-vehicle pileup or chain-reaction collision
• Drivers or passengers suffer serious injuries, including bone fractures and head injuries
  

It's also important to remember that if you have been involved in a more serious accident and you choose to leave the scene before the police arrive, this could be considered a criminal offence. This is known as 'failure to stop and render assistance’ and can result in a hefty fine or even a prison sentence.
You should also ensure that the police attend the scene is you suspect that drug or drunk driving was involved.

If you have been involved in a car accident in NSW, the most important thing is to remain calm and check that everyone is safe.
Car accidents can be a shock- so even if you think that you are ok, take the time to stop and take some deep breaths. It is really easy to make a mistake in noting down information so double check your details.
If you aren't sure whether or not you can leave the scene, it's best to wait and leave once the police tell you it's fine to go.

 If you have been in an accident  and can't move your car, don't panic, the team at Trade & General Towing are here to help!
Also please note, even if you have had a collision and your car appears to be working fine- don't take the risk of driving away and causing more damage!
Contact us if you have had a car accident in Newcastle and we'll be on the scene as soon as possible.