Prioritize safety over photos after highway accidents, South Korean experts advise

South Korean drivers involved in highway accidents are being advised to prioritize their safety and move their vehicles to a secure location before attempting to document the scene with photographs. This guidance aims to dispel the common misconception that failing to take immediate pictures at the accident site could disadvantage drivers in insurance claims or fault assessments.

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Safety first, take photos after evacuating.

According to the General Insurance Association of Korea and traffic safety experts, moving a damaged vehicle to the shoulder or a rest area after an accident will not automatically lead to unfavorable fault determinations. Insurance companies and accident investigators rely on a variety of evidence, including dashcam footage, closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings, and official accident reports, to establish liability.

On highways and expressways, where speeds are high, ensuring the safety of all individuals involved is the absolute priority. The insurance association's guidelines instruct claims handlers to first confirm that vehicles are in a safe location before proceeding with accident details. This emphasis on safety is crucial to prevent secondary accidents, which can be far more dangerous than the initial collision.

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If a car remains in the traffic lane, we instruct them to move the vehicle to a safe location before providing guidance on the accident details or whether an on-site investigation is needed.

While photographs can be helpful in assessing damages and determining fault, they should only be taken after ensuring personal safety and moving the vehicles. This includes capturing the overall scene, the position of both vehicles, and specific damage areas. In situations where dashcam footage is unavailable or corrupted, witness statements, CCTV footage, police reports, and physical evidence at the scene can all be used as crucial evidence. The primary message remains clear: personal safety and preventing further accidents must always come first.

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When an accident occurs on a highway or a road exclusively for automobiles, ensuring safety is the top priority over taking photos or reporting the accident.