After the accident
- Stop your car when you can (it is considered to be an offence if not done so).
- Turn off your engine.
- Switch your hazard lights on.
- Check if you or your passengers are injured..
- If involved in a minor collision and no injuries were incurred, take note and record this, if in case the other party will try to claim for an injury down the line.
- If anyone is hurt or if the road is blocked, contact the police and an ambulance.
- Try to remain as calm as possible—don’t lose your temper, take deep breaths, and try to handle the situation as best you can.
- Do not admit responsibility for the accident until you’re fully aware of what happened to protect you from liability if it wasn’t really your fault.
Who to contact
Call the police and an ambulance if anyone has been injured during the accident. If an emergency response team isn’t needed but the car accident is blocking the road or if you feel there was something suspicious about the crash such as “crash for cash” scam (where a driver causes an accident on purpose in order to make an insurance claim for injuries or damage), reach out to the police on 101 instead.
If you have a dashcam installed on your vehicle, it can prove to be an essential accessory during this time. However, if the one you currently have has low-quality footage, chances are it won’t help prove what had taken place during the accident.If you, your friends or family have been injured in a car accident and you believe that it was another party’s fault and you feel you have suffered loss as a result, you should contact an accident solicitor to see if you are entitled to make a road traffic accident claim.
What details should you take after an accident?
You are need to give your name, address, details of the vehicle’s owner (if it’s not yours), along with the car’s registration number to all parties involved in the accident.
If no injuries were incurred to all parties involved, you don’t have to provide details of your car insurance, as there is no legal requirement for that. However, it might be able to speed up your claims process if you exchange insurance company details and policy numbers.
It is possible that during the time of the accident, you are not aware of injuries you may have suffered—that’s why you need to get their details.
You must produce your certificate of insurance if anyone at the scene has reasonable grounds to request for it, especially if another person has been injured.