If you have a traffic accident in which there are only minor
injuries and damage to property, the Highway Code states the
following:
* All people and vehicles involved must stay at the site of
the accident but without placing other vehicles at risk.
* Warning signs must be placed on the street in both directions
to ward off further accidents.
* The police must be notified immediately.
If the collided vehicles are in the middle of the road and
block the traffic, they must be moved to the side. Before moving
them, though, take a few shots from as many angles as possible
(close shots as well as distant ones), jot down the name of
at least one witness who has seen their initial position, and
record the accident on the handy table that follows. If the
other driver refuses to give you his name - a totally outrageous
thing, to be sure - take down his plate number and insurance
company info - which you will find on a small card stuck on
the windshield - as well as the names of a few witnesses, along
with the place and phone where they can be reached. The latter
precaution is especially important in any accident, let alone
in cases that invite dispute. You should know that witnesses
are often reluctant to volunteer their name and address, because
they don’t want to get involved and to be later forced
to testify in court (if things get so far). Should they refuse
to give you the information you need, do not insist too much
because you’ll only make them walk away. Take a good look
at their faces instead, and when the police arrives point them
out in the crowd. This will force them to provide the info requested.
Do not allow the other driver to leave before the police gets
there. If you do, you run the risk of being fooled by an apologetic
person, who will take full blame for the accident, only to go
to his insurance company and deny the responsibility. This,
of course, would make it very difficult for you to prove your
case and to be paid for damages. If your motorcycle is badly
damaged, you must be very careful to document the accident.
Most insurance companies in Greece will do anything they can
to avoid paying, and the only thing that will fully cover you
is the Accident Report made by the police on the accident site.
If people die or get seriously injured, they should be taken
to the hospital immediately. Everyone else, though, should stay
there and wait for the police. The phone numbers of police precincts
and first aid stations are given in this catalogue.
Source of the
information on this page : “Unexplored Crete”,
Road Editions. For more guidebooks and maps of
Greece, click here.
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