You probably weren't

of dangerous driving. The

expecting the car to make a police must be called if

right turn into your fender,

anyone is injured.

the car ahead to screech to a
stop or the panel van to run a
red light.

As a matter of fact, almost
every auto collision comes as
a complete surprise. That's
why it’s called an accident.

Accidents do happen —
over 123,000 in B.C. last
year -- and the B.C.
Automobile Association
Suggests motorists become
familiar with the post ac-
cident procedure. It could
happen to you.

AFTER THE
ACCIDENT

First, check the occupants
of all the cars involved to
make sure no one is hurt. If
anyone is injured, provide or
telephone for emergency
assistance, don't waste time
passing blame. In Van-
couver call the emergency
number 911, elsewhere in
B.C. dial the operator. Give
the exact location of the
accident and don't fret if the
operator continues to ask
seemingly irrelevant
questions, even as you talk
the closest emergency
vehicle 18 being dispatched.

Call the police tf anything
of a criminal nature is in-
volved: a driver who won't
produce identification or
drivers license, a suspected
impaired driver or evidence

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COMP Onents

GET A WITNESS .

In an effort to avoid
paying higher insurance
premiums many B.C.
motorists vigorously deny
causing an accident. Often
an independent witness is
the only hope an innocent
driver has to ensure liability
is decided fairly.

Consider the poor claims
adjuster trying to decide
which driver really was at
fault: One driver accuses the
other of going through a red
light and the second driver
counters, “No, he made a
left hand turn in front of

e.” Who 1s the adjuster to

believe? Friends and
relatives in the car are not
considered impartial wit-

nesses for obvious reasons,
however, the tesumony of a
person not considered close
to the dnver may be taken
into account.

The best witness - other
than a police officer! - is the
impartial bystander who
noticed all the action. If
such a bystander is reluctant
to be a witness, mention that
more than 90 per cent of all
‘property damage’ claims
(when no onc is injured) are
setiled outside the courts.

The witness to an accident
is contacted by an ICBC
adjuster and treated with

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1519 Clyde Ave. West Vancouver

922-3231

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respect;

often merely
required

to fill out a

statement and mail it back or

answer a few questions on
the telephone.

A witness is rarely in-
convenienced in acting the
Good Samaritan, notes the

BCAA, and _ simplifies
matters greatly.
WHO ARE YOU?

Py

Motor Vehicle Act of B.C.

details of
coverage.

Failure to provide this
information could lead to
charges under the Motor
Vehicle Act, such as “failing
to remain at the scene of an

The auto club strongly
recommends that all
motorists read their guide to
Aatoplan Insurance bookiet
and fill out the accident
information form at the front
of the book as soon as
possible. Accidents happen
so quickly that the details

insurance

It is required under the - important to a speedy claims

Outstanding gas economy
ina compact styled car.
At econobox prices.

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Bli-Wednesday, Jane 25, 1980 - North Shore News

Experience is not always the best teacher

How to handle accidents

settlement may as quickly be
forgotten.

As a courtesy to other
motorists, the BCAA
Suggests that damaged
vehicles be moved off the
roadway once relevant
information has been
recorded.

FINALLY,
TWO REPORTS

the lean, Ce

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must be reported to the
police or RCMP within 24
hours or as soon as possible.
Even a minor scraped fender
cap cast more than $200 to
repair these days so it is wise
to report an accident with
any vehicle damage.

Call the ICBC claims

centre most convenient to
you to make an appointment
to meet with a claims ad-
juster and have vehicle

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