What should I do if I have a car accident?
Experiencing a car accident can be incredibly stressful, regardless of whether it’s a small bump, a serious head-on collision, or whose fault it may be.
We understand that being in a car accident can be chaotic and overwhelming, which is why we’ve compiled a clear list of steps to follow. This way, you can feel more confident and prepared should you find yourself in one of the 900 collisions that occur in the UK each day, according to the BBC.1
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In short
You don’t need to report the collision to the police as long as everyone is okay, there were no driving offences, and you’ve exchanged the necessary details. |
What should I do after a car accident?
After a car accident, you must stop and switch off the engine immediately for everyone’s safety. It’s unlawful to drive away from the scene, even if the collision wasn’t your fault.
Turn on your hazard warning lights and take a moment to ensure that you and your passengers are safe. If anyone is injured, take pictures of their injuries and make a note of them.
Once you’ve done these checks, exit the vehicle with care and take the following steps:
- Remain calm
You’re likely to feel shaken up after a car accident, even if it was just a minor collision. So, gather your thoughts and calm your nerves before assessing the situation. - Review the scene
Is anyone hurt? Are vehicles blocking the road? Did someone commit an offence? Is anyone in danger? If any of these scenarios apply, call 999 and ask for the police and an ambulance. - Exchange details
Ask those involved in the accident for their name, address and car number plate. Swap insurance details if they ask for them. - Speak with care
It’s essential not to say sorry, even if it’s the natural thing to do. Admitting to being at fault could weaken your claim if the other party uses a statement like this against you. - Talk to others at the scene
Discuss what happened with your passengers and other witnesses, so you have a third-party viewpoint. - Take pictures
Use your mobile phone to photograph the scene and any damage. Be as thorough as you can. To assist with a claim, your insurer will need to see photos showing the damage to both vehicles, as well as their positions. Take pictures of the surrounding area to help them understand the road layout. - Notify your insurer
Inform your insurance company of the incident as soon as possible, even if you plan to cover the repairs yourself or will not be filing a claim. Why? Because the other party might file a claim without your knowledge.
When should you let the police know about a car accident?
Drivers or motorcyclists involved in a collision must report the incident to the police within 24 hours, according to the Road Traffic Act 1988. You must call the police if anyone is injured or if a vehicle is causing a roadblock or you are in danger.
Another option is to dial 101 if it’s not an emergency. You can also report the accident either online using the road traffic incident reporting service, or you can head over to your neighbourhood police station.
Recording information after a car accident
You’ll want to record the details of an accident while they are fresh in your mind and the minds of everyone else involved.
- Note the other car’s number plate and the make, model and colour.
- Ask for details from the other driver and witnesses, including names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, and the registered owners of any other drivers involved.
- Save any dash cam footage you have of the accident which may be useful for the police and the insurer.
- Use your smartphone to take photos and videos of the final resting position of the vehicles, damage to all cars involved and any visible injuries. Capture wider shots of the road layout, weather conditions and relevant markings or signs making sure to include time and date.
- Write down or photograph the driving licence details of the other driver/s.
- Ensure you have the other driver’s insurance details.
- Note any injuries to drivers, passengers or pedestrians.
- Ask the police for the case reference number and address of the police station (if you or someone else called them).
What to do in a car accident on the motorway
A car accident can be a frightening experience, and it can be even more stressful when it happens on a busy motorway or smart motorway. In this case, you should:
- Switch on your hazard warning lights
- Pull onto the hard shoulder or into an emergency refuge area if you’re on a smart motorway2
- Turn the wheels so they face left, and the car is forced into the barrier, rather than into live traffic, if someone hits it from behind
- Exit the car through the passenger’s left-hand side
- Stand behind the safety barrier, well away from the car
- Call on the free emergency SOS telephone, which will connect you to the police or highway authority
- Wait behind the barrier until help arrives.
Try to stay calm if the accident happens in a live lane and you cannot move into a refuge or onto the hard shoulder.
Remain in the car with your hazard warning lights on and dial 999. Tell the police about the situation and the dangers you and the other vehicle are facing.
How to report a car accident to your insurer
Step 1: Your priority is to ensure that your passengers are safe and unhurt, as well as anyone else involved in the car accident, including yourself.
Step 2: Contact your insurer and tell them you’ve had a collision. You should do this even if you don’t want to claim, otherwise you may invalidate your insurance cover.
Step 3: Give your insurer as much detail as possible. They will need your name and address, as well as the other driver’s or drivers’ insurance information. Recount your story and the sequence of events. If you’re making a claim, the claims handler should ask you for witness details. You can share your photos or video footage as well.
Step 4: Follow the insurer’s and the claim handler’s instructions about the next steps.
What insurance details will I need?
Before calling your insurer, you should gather specific information and have it close by, including:
- Identifying information, such as your policy number, name, address and contact details
- Each involved car’s registration details
- The contact information and names of other drivers involved in the collision
- Their insurance details, if you have them
When can I get my car repaired after a car accident?
Getting your car repaired after an accident depends on whether you can drive it and the type of insurance you have (e.g. comprehensive or third-party insurance).
If it’s too damaged to drive, your insurer may decide that the car is a total loss (also known as a write-off). In contrast, if you can drive it, they may decide it’s repairable. In the last scenario, the insurer can either send an approved repairer who will collect the vehicle and start to repair it or you may be able to take it to your garage. Be aware that you may need an estimate for the repair costs, and work cannot begin until your insurance company gives the go-ahead. Another consideration is the possibility of paying excess if you don’t choose their approved repairer. The insurer may also send their choice of engineer to assess the work.
In most cases, your insurer will provide a replacement vehicle while the approved garage repairs yours. However, it’s always a good idea to check your policy first.
My car’s a total loss: what happens next?
Insurers consider a car a total loss if the damage is so widespread that it’s either impossible to repair or not worth the cost.
If your car is a write-off, our claims department will offer you a settlement amount once they have received items like your current MOT certificate and taken various deductions into account.
Should I call a breakdown service after a car accident?
If you have comprehensive insurance and need to file a claim for damage after a car accident, you don’t need to call a breakdown service. Your insurer should help you arrange roadside recovery.
If your insurance provider deems your car unsafe to drive after an accident, they can assist you and your passengers in getting home or to your intended destination in the UK.
Alternatively, they may cover the transport costs for you and your passengers to ensure you can reach your home or intended destination in the UK.
How long does a car insurance claim take?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a definite answer to your query. It really depends on what’s going on in your case.
But there are things you can do to speed up your claim. Give your insurer all the main details about the accident right from the start, have the money ready to cover your claim’s excess, and be open to using different garages for any repairs.
What do I do if the car accident wasn’t my fault?
If another driver caused the accident, their insurance should usually cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle. But in reality, things aren’t always that straightforward. Claims can be disputed, and outcomes may take time or turn out differently than expected.
If the other driver only has third-party insurance, you might need to pay your excess upfront and then claim it back later.
What happens if the car accident was my fault?
You’ll pay the excess on your policy and lose some of your no-claims bonus, unless it’s protected. The insurance company will pay the remaining bill for damage if you’re at fault. However, that’s only if you have valid, comprehensive insurance that includes cover for this kind of incident.
Let’s say the other driver was injured and seeks compensation. Your insurance company will handle it, provided the other party’s claim is deemed valid. Your premium may increase.
How do you determine who is at fault for a car accident?
You need all kinds of evidence to determine who’s to blame in a car accident, including eyewitness accounts, information from the other party, photographs, videos, the weather conditions, and police reports.
It’s important to understand that, in a car collision, the insurance companies - not the police - are the ones who ultimately determine who is at fault. They might also investigate if there is a disagreement. The Highway Code says that it’s your fault if you drive into the back of another car.
What should you do if the other driver doesn’t stop after being involved in a car accident?
If the drivers in an accident don’t stop, that’s a crime. If the other driver takes off, you should inform the police within 24 hours. Meanwhile, try to collect as much information as you can from any witnesses and jot down anything you remember about the car or the driver, if you got a look at them. You should let your insurance company know about the accident.
What should I do if an uninsured driver hits me?
If an insured driver hits you, you should contact the police first, then your insurer. Uninsured driver protection is here to help if it turns out that a driver involved in the collision doesn’t have insurance, and it’s clear that you were not at fault. It ensures that you can recover your no-claims discount and receive reimbursement for your excess, providing you with some peace of mind during a challenging time.
To get covered, tell your insurer the other vehicle’s make, model, and valid registration number. Whenever you get a chance, you should share the name and address of the person who was driving the other vehicle.
What should I do if I hit an animal?
It’s an offence under the Road Traffic Act to drive off after hitting specific animals, namely dogs, donkeys, mules, horses, pigs and goats. Despite a petition in 20233, Parliament decided not to make it a legal requirement to stop for accidents involving cats.
Dial 101 if you hit an animal:
- Stop once you can find a safe place to do so
- Move the animal to a safe place as well (if possible)
- Call the owner if it has a collar or take it to the nearest vet if you can.
If you hit a parked car, you should stop and leave your contact details on the windscreen. Take photos of the scene and make a note of what happened, then contact your insurance company.
What happens if a car accident results in injuries?
If you are injured in a car accident, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Then contact your insurer if you want to make a claim.
From the immediate steps to take at the scene to reporting the accident to your insurer, we’ve covered it. People travelling in cars made up 55% of all casualties in the UK in 2023