8 Steps Guide to Car Accidents in Dubai

Whether you are a learner or an expert driver, unfortunately, the possibility of accidents is always there while driving on the roads. Though having car insurance in Dubai, can protect you against such risks, but it important for a car user to be mindful of what needs to be done from the legal perspective in case there is an accident on road.   

Types of Accidents 

Accidents can be of different types - 

•    It can be between two or more cars
•    An accident can happen between a car and an object. For instance, if your car hits against a pillar or a tree
•    Then there are accidents that cause bodily injuries and there are some which don't
•    It can happen when the car is parked or when you are driving
 
1. Stop & Remain Calm  

Whenever you find yourself stuck in an accident, try to remain calm. If you get hyper or lose your temper, it will only make things worse. The first thing that you need to do is to call the police, as all the car insurance companies in UAE will need a police report to process your motor insurance claim. Moreover, you will not get an agency repair without the police report. 

If there are any bodily injuries, immediately dial 999 for an ambulance. If you are in any of the Emirates of Dubai, you already know that you can also call the police by dialing 999. Also, you must know that in Abu Dhabi and other suburbs, when you dial 999 you need to ask to speak with Saeed officers – that is traffic police. Basically, you can call both the ambulance and the police when you dial 999.
 
2. Move Your Car to a Safe Corner

To avoid traffic obstruction and trouble to other cars it is advisable that you move your car to a safe place, in the event of a collision or accident on road. While doing so, make sure that the traffic is not running that fast, to keep yourself and people in your car safe. 

While calling the police for assistance, it is imperative to provide them with the details of your location so that they can quickly reach the site. Make sure that you have all the documents handy, such as your driving license, car registration certificate, and a valid proof of residence. 
 
3. Capture the Damage

It is recommended that you capture the damage caused to your car on your phone's camera, as the car insurance provider will ask for the same at the time of claim. It can save you running from pillar to post.

When the police arrive at the place of incidence, maintain your calm and give them a brief explanation when you are asked to state your side of the story. Be humble to the police officers and also with other people who are involved in the accident. 

4. Police Investigation

On the basis of the investigation, the police will decide who is at fault. After listening to both the parties, the police report will be issued. The party who is at fault will be given a red copy, while the innocent party will be handed over a green copy. If none of the parties are found at fault, the police will issue a white copy to both of them.  

As you already know, the police report will be issued in Arabic. If there is any minor damage and your car is still in a drivable condition, then you will be allowed to drive away your car. Otherwise, your insurer will help you out with towing assistance. 

5. Contact Your Car Insurance Provider

The next step is to intimate your insurance provider about the accident. Car insurance companies in Dubai process claim only after the issuance of a police report. If your car insurance policy includes car replacement service then you will get one. Your insurer will tell you about the repairing cost and suggest the workshops where the repairing work can be done. 

5. Don't Escape

If there is a collision of your car with another car, it is advisable that you don't run away from the site of the accident. No matter how distressing the situation is. Running away from the site of an accident can be a criminal offense and you might end up paying a fine of AED 500 and even lead to confiscation of your car for a week or so. 
 
If the police find out that you were responsible for serious injuries, then the penalty will be decided by the court. You can either receive black points, or your vehicle will be confiscated for 2 months and you can also be banned from driving on the UAE roads.
 
7. In Case You Hit an Object with Your Car

If you smash into an immovable object like a tree, house or a pillar and the damage is caused to your vehicle, then also you will need to get a police report. To claim your insurance in Dubai and get repair work done, it is legally required to get a police report. If you fail to provide the report, then you will have to bear the costs of repairing the damaged and might have to pay the fine.
 
8. What To Do If Someone Hits Your Car While It Was Parked

If your car is damaged by another vehicle, while it was parked, the first thing you should check is - if anyone has informed the police about the incidence or not. If not, then it's better to check the CCTV footage where the incidence will be captured. It will give you a clear picture of the incidence. 

If you do not find any evidence, you can get your vehicle repaired and for that, a police report is required. In case it is a major damage, call the police at the site of the accident. For minor damages, you can take your car to the nearest police station and get the police report.

By now, you must have realized that it is mandatory to have the police report in case you are involved in a road accident anywhere on the UAE roads.

Summing it up!

Accidents should not stop you from driving, but if you find yourself involved in one you should be aware of the safety measures that you can follow. We hope that the above-mentioned guidelines would offer you a better understanding. And, you will be able to decide what you should do in such cases and find yourself prepared to deal with the aftermath of an accident.