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What should you do if you have a car accident?

A step by step guide to what to do after a car accident in the UK: stopping safely, what details to swap, when to tell the police and contacting your insurer.

Being in an accident is always unsettling, and most of the time it comes out of nowhere. Whether it is a knock in a car park or a bump on the high street, every driver needs to know the right steps to take afterwards.

There is no need to panic. The steps are simple, and knowing them in advance makes them easier to follow.

Quick checklist

  1. Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe. It is an offence to drive away, however minor the collision.
  2. Switch off your engine.
  3. Turn on your hazard lights. The button usually shows a red triangle.
  4. Check everyone involved for injuries.
  5. If anyone is injured, call 999 straight away. If the road is blocked, call the police.
  6. If it is safe, get passengers and pets out of the vehicle and to a safe place, unless their injuries mean they shouldn't be moved.
  7. Exchange details with everyone involved, including names, addresses, vehicle details and insurance details.
  8. Don't apologise or admit fault. What you say could be used later when the claim is decided.

What should I do at the scene?

Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a driver involved in an accident that causes injury to another person, or damage to another vehicle, property or certain animals, must stop. This applies however minor the accident is and whoever is to blame. Failing to stop is an offence that can lead to a fine, penalty points or disqualification, and in serious cases prison.

If your vehicle can still be driven, move to a safe place, such as a lay-by, before switching off the engine and turning on your hazard lights. Get passengers and pets out and away from traffic, unless they are injured and can't be moved safely. If anyone is hurt, call 999.

On a motorway, follow the same steps, using the hard shoulder or an emergency area if you can. Get yourself and your passengers well away from the traffic, behind the safety barrier if possible, and wait for help to arrive.

What details should I give the other driver?

If anyone is injured, or another vehicle or property is damaged, you must give your name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address, and the registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask. If you can't do this at the scene, you must report the accident to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours. The legal duty is set out in section 170.

It is also sensible to share and collect:

  • insurance details, including the insurer and policy number
  • contact details
  • a short description of each driver and vehicle, so you remember who was driving what

If someone is injured, you must also produce your certificate of insurance if asked. If you can't, you must report the accident to the police.

Collecting the other driver's details matters, because you may not realise at the time that you have been hurt. Stay calm and don't get drawn into an argument about blame. If the other driver tries to make you accept responsibility, keep your composure and don't admit fault.

How should I deal with my insurer?

Contact your insurer as soon as possible, ideally the same day, even if you don't intend to make a claim. Most policies require you to report any accident within a set time, and failing to do so could affect your cover.

Give as much information as you can, including the names, addresses and insurance details of everyone involved, and explain clearly what happened. If there were witnesses, pass their details on quickly, as this can help with the claim.

How do I make a claim?

Your insurer will explain how to claim, and many let you start the process online or through an app. Be aware that your no claims bonus may be affected if your insurer can't recover its costs from the other driver's insurer. This usually happens if you were at fault, or if the other driver was uninsured.

If you only have third party cover, you can't claim on your own policy for damage to your own vehicle. If you weren't at fault, you would need to claim the repair costs and any other uninsured losses from the other driver. If you were at fault, you would have to pay for your own repairs.

If you receive a letter or claim form from the other driver or their insurer, send it to your own insurer straight away.

Kompare doesn't currently offer quotes for car insurance. If you drive for work, our van insurance, courier insurance and taxi insurance pages explain how we can help.