Republic Act No. 4136, more commonly known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, is the basis of all the traffic laws and provisions that are applicable to the Philippines.
Responsible motorists should be familiar with the basic laws for driving. These are taught in driving schools to give motorists an idea of the basis of the laws that govern driving. These laws guide motorists on what must and must not be done in certain circumstances.
On the road, we try our very best to maintain safety for ourselves and for those whom we share the road with. Article V, Section 55 details the duties of drivers involved in any road accident.
- The driver must show his/her driver’s license and willingly provide their name and address and the exact details of the owner of the vehicle.
- A driver must not leave the scene of the accident without assisting the victim unless:
- The driver is in imminent danger from anyone else due to causing or due to the driver’s direct involvement in the accident.
- The driver will report the accident to persons of authority, such as police officers or MMDA enforcers. In this case, contacting the authorities using the 117 Emergency Hotline is best.
- The driver is on the lookout for 1st aid responders, Nurses, EMTs, or Physicians. If he or she has to summon a physician or nurse to aid the victim. A driver may leave the scene if s/he is looking for the nearest emergency room.
Here’s what you should do:
1. Stay on the scene.
Do not leave the scene unless necessary or be charged with a hit-and-run violation.
Leave the cars where they are. If you can, take photos of the car, the crash scene, and the surroundings before moving them if they are obstructing the road.
2. Check everyone
Everyone means all persons inside your car; you and your passengers. Inspect for injuries, wounds, dizziness, or headaches. Call for help if necessary; the nearest ones are usually bystanders who can help you or call for help on your behalf.
3. Put warning devices in place.
Of course, this is only applicable if you are sure that you are well enough to move around. Turning on hazard lights and having reflective warning devices in place helps maintain the safety of other cars on the road and provides ample time for incoming vehicles to stop or move around.
4. Ask for help
Call the police or MMDA enforcers because the law dictates that their presence is needed as investigators of the scene.
Morse importantly, seek medical attention even when you think it is not necessary. It is safer to be sure that you and the rest of the people involved in the accident are free from any accident-related or accident-caused health issues.
5. Gather information
Drivers should provide personal information to the enforcers on the scene the same way the other party involved should provide theirs. Make use of your smartphone to take photos for documentation.
6. Contact your insurance provider
Contact your car insurance provider and your health insurance provider if needed. Check what is covered and what is not, then weigh your options if it will be cheaper to do the car repairs on your own and if what’s covered with the insurance is worth the hassle of going through insurance paper works.
Driver’s Rights
Among many other things to keep in mind during an accident are your rights as a driver.
1. Right to Seek Help from Authorities
These are people who would know what to do in such situations. Contact a police officer or MMDA enforcer to assess and manage the crash scene.
2. Right to Remain Silent
Everything you say can be used against you – as we’ve been told by many. You have every right to remain silent while you are collecting your thoughts and while you are trying to wrap your head around what just happened.
3. Right to Gather Information
You have to keep your own records of the details of what happened, as it is your right to be informed. Information regarding the scene, other parties involved, and the officer on the scene will be needed for insurance claims and are essential details for police reports.
Tips:
1. Stay calm
What just happened might be a good reason to panic, but try your best to stay calm so that you can think as rationally as possible.
2. Always bring essential documents with you
This includes your vehicle registration, car insurance, health declaration card, and any valid identification.
3. Dash Cam
Dash Cams are the silent and most reliable witnesses in this kind of situation, as they are designed to record every detail of what took place on each ride.
Make sure there is always enough memory space on your dash cam so you can download and back up the video if need be.
Accidents can happen anytime. It happens even when one is taking extra measures to be cautious. It happens because roads are shared, and road safety is a responsibility of many but can never be expected from everybody.
Know your rights, and know what to do. Drivesafe PH provides a theoretical driving course that helps you understand the basics of driving in complete detail and will brief you on what to do should things like this happens.
Drivesafe PH is the 1st LTO Accredited Online Theoretical Driving Course Provider, a social learning platform that provides accessibility to Defensive Driving Education to future Filipino drivers who would like to take the first step on the road.
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