What You Should Do If You Have A Car Accident

When an accident occurs, it is important to remain calm and collected, and take steps to ensure everyone’s safety of both the parties involved in the incident and also that of other vehicles not involved.

• Switch off the car engine to immobilise the vehicle and avoid the risk of fire, and ask other drivers involved in the accident to do the same.
• Do not smoke or allow others to do so in case there is a fuel leak.
• Call an ambulance and the police if anyone is injured.
• If anyone is injured do not move them unless they feel able. Also loosen any tight clothing they may be wearing and keep them warm by carefully covering them with a coat or travel blanket etc.
• Move everyone to a place of safety, but do not attempt to move anyone with serious injuries.
• Unless a vehicle poses a danger to other traffic, do not move it until the police arrive.
• If the vehicles involved in the accident present a hazard to other traffic, take steps to warn other drivers by using a warning triangle and/or switching on hazard warning lights.
• Do not admit to any fault. Who was to blame for the accident is something the insurers will determine later, once all circumstances surrounding the accident have been considered.
• Exchange insurance and driver details with others involved.
• Contact your insurer straight away, as there will be a time limit within which you must make your claim.

The following details should be recorded to pass on to your insurer:

Where and when the car accident occurred:

• The time and date
• The location of the accident and nearest town
• Whether it was daylight, twilight or dark
• Whether the street lights were on or off
• The weather conditions
• The road conditions – wet, dry or icy
• The speed limit at the location of the accident
• Whether the police attended

Details of the other driver or drivers involved:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number

Details of the other vehicle or vehicles involved:

• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle type
• Damage caused
• (This information is important to your claim)

Insurance details of the other driver or drivers:

• Name
• Telephone number
• Insurance policy number

Details of anyone who witnessed the accident:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number

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