What to do if you have an accident
Accidents happen – even to the most careful drivers - and while we hope that you are never unfortunate enough to be involved in a road traffic accident, we know that it can help to be prepared. So here we offer some guidelines on what you should do if you do have an accident, with the aim of helping you deal with the incident at the time, as well as reduce the stress of making a claim afterwards. It’s a good idea to print these guidelines and keep them in your car, along with a notebook, pen, and a disposable camera.
If you are involved in an accident you should:
- Stop at the scene if a person or an animal has been injured, or if another vehicle or property has been damaged. It is an offence not to stop.
- Try to stay calm. Ensure the scene of the accident is safe by checking that all engines are switched off, hazard lights are switched on, and oncoming traffic is alerted.
- Call 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone) if anyone is hurt or if the accident has caused a dangerous situation, and alert the police if the other driver leaves without stopping or does not give you their details. Tell the police if you suspect that the other driver’s judgement is impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers (home numbers as well as mobile numbers) of all drivers, passengers and pedestrians involved in the accident, as well as any witnesses.
- Ask the drivers of any other cars for the name of their insurance company and their policy number – they have to give you this information by law (the Road Traffic Act).
- Take down the registration numbers, makes, models and colours of all vehicles involved.
- If you have a camera or a mobile phone with a camera, take photographs of the vehicles and the damage, but be careful not to put yourself at risk.
- Make a sketch showing the street names, the positions of the vehicles and pedestrians involved both before and after the accident, and where the witnesses were located.
- Make a note of the speeds, distance, road layout, road signs and anything that may have been blocking your view, or the view of other drivers.
- Do not admit blame or liability for the accident or offer to pay for any damage. If any other person admits blame, tell us.
- If anyone was injured or property was damaged, be prepared to show your Certificate of Motor Insurance to the police or anyone else involved in the accident.
- Report the accident to us as soon as possible, even if you do not want to make a claim, by calling 0845 603 7872.
- If your car cannot be driven away after the accident, call 0800 085 8533 to arrange for your car to be recovered.
We hope you never need them, but if the worst happens and you do have a road traffic accident, these guidelines can make all the difference when it comes to sorting it all out afterwards.
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