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ACTION FOLLOWING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN SPAIN

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Tony Banham (The Car Clinic) / 2010-08-15 13:33:23

So what happens next? You’re minding your own business paying attention to what is going on around you when Bang! You jolt forward a glance in the rear view mirror confirms the idiot behind you wasn’t being as cautious as you.

Firstly and foremost, in the event of any minor incident as it is stated on the form, Stay calm, Don’t Panic, Be Polite and Courteous and Never, Never Say Sorry. By saying this you are admitting guilt, be careful. If there are any injuries even minor ones then call the police and an ambulance if necessary.

Try getting the names of the injured person/s if possible, it may be handy later. Get details of as many witnesses as you can. If your vehicles are in such a position that it is a hazard to other road users then you should move them to a safe location. A good idea if you’re mobile has a camera then take a few photos at the scene before you move the vehicles, it may come in useful later.

Time to fill out the “ Parte Europeo de Accidente” (European Accident Statement) the blue form issued with all European insurance policies. You should have one and a pen in your car at all times. Depending on which insurance company you use this form comes in English and Spanish.

The purpose of the form is to get an insight into facts surrounding the accident based on a mutual agreement between each driver. If you are unfortunate enough to have a Spanish one then read on, if yours is in English then you may skip the next few paragraphs.

Firstly no matter what the circumstances speak to the other person/s involved in a calm manor, don’t lose your temper this will only aggravate matters, even though they have just destroyed your pride and joy. If you have no or little comprehension of Spanish, your bad day is about to get worse when the person that has just hit you doesn’t speak English, (which the law of averages would suggest) now is a good time to use your “phone a friend” Try to get someone to translate for you.

Ok it’s time to fill out the form. Only one “Parte Europeo de Accidente” form needs to be completed if only two vehicles are involved, two for three cars etc. If the other person is uncooperative then call the police. You must now produce your vehicle and insurance documents. Start to fill in the form in a ball point and write legibly.

This next part is very important; make sure the details of both (or all) insurance companies are completed in sections 6 and 8. In section 9 write the drivers details from their driving licence. Sections are as follows:-  1 Date of accident, 2 Place, including street names town etc. 3 Injuries, put yes even if it is a slight injury.

4 Damage to the vehicles, answer this yes or no, in section 6 you must put the details of the insured, copy these from the original documents, don’t accept photo copies in any circumstances if the driver only has these then call the police.

Section 7 is the details of the vehicle, make model and registration number. In section 10 indicate with an arrow the point of impact to the vehicle. In 11 you must write details of the damage. Section 12 is the circumstances; put a cross in the relevant boxes for vehicle A and vehicle B.

There are 17 boxes to tick, these relate to: - 1 Parking or stopped
2 leaving a parking place or opening a door
3 entering a parking place
4 emerging from a car park, private ground or a track
5 entering a car park, private ground or track
6 entering a roundabout
7 circulating a roundabout
8 striking the rear of the other vehicle while going in the same direction and lane
9 going the same direction but different lane
10 changing lanes
11 overtaking
12 turning right
13 turning left
14 reversing
15 encroaching on lane reserved for circulation in the opposite direction
16 coming from right at a junction
17 not observing a right of way sign or red light.
In the box directly below this you must put in the number of boxes you have crossed.

Section 13 is for all budding artists, draw a plain and simple diagram of what happened, mark the vehicles A and B and try to put road names, signs or traffic lights and the direction which the vehicles were travelling. If you have anything else to add write them in section 14. Then both of the drivers must sign in section 15.  That’s it until you get home.

At home you must complete the rear of the form. 16 name of the insurance, 17 describe the accident. If the police were called put it in section 18. Describe the insured vehicle, make model colour, are you the owner and where the vehicle is, goes in section 19. All your details go in section 20.

Write the details of both car colours and if they are at a garage put the name and address in section 21. If any other vehicles were involved fill the details in section 22. Sections 23 and 24 are for any injuries and damage to personal items or animals. Finally if you have anything else to say put it in section 25. 

That’s it, your next step is to contact your insurance company within 48 hours. They will inform you of a date to take your car to a garage of your choice, where the assessor will come and inspect the car, take photos and details.

In most circumstances you will have to leave the car, the assessor will not speak to the owner nor will they give a time of inspection. In nearly all the insurance repair work we have dealt with authorization arrives within a few days, we then arrange with you a date to have your car repaired. Until next time, remember a fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

Happy motoring.

Tony.

Thecarclinic@hotmail.com