Rarely do people know what to do after a car accident, especially when it wasn’t their fault.
Taking the correct steps is vital for everyone’s safety and for processing a successful non-fault claim afterwards.
What should I do directly after the accident?
What details should I exchange with the other driver?
Who should I speak to about vehicle recovery?
Who should I contact first?
If you’d like to speak to someone about a non-fault accident, call us on 0330 128 1407.
Or start your non-fault claim online with us here >
We are a non-fault specialist accident management company. We provide practical support and advice, while managing all aspects related to the accident, from roadside recovery to your vehicle’s repairs. Our purpose is to relieve the disruption of a non-fault accident to your daily life.
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Step 1
The very first thing to do is stop the car safely, if it is not already safely stationary. Make sure to turn it off.
Check yourself, your passengers and anyone else for injuries sustained. Call an ambulance if injuries occur.
Even a simple apology can be used as an admission of fault. Be respectful but don’t apologise or admit fault.
After a car accident, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions and even a bit overwhelmed. Many people feel the same way in such situations.
Not sure what to do right after? That’s a common feeling.
First, if you haven’t already, safely bring your car to a stop.
Even if the accident seems minor, it’s always best to stop. Take a moment to collect your thoughts.
Ensure that you and any passengers are okay. Once you’ve ensured everyone’s safety, switch off the car’s engine. Then, turn on your hazard lights to signal to other drivers about the incident.
First and foremost, check yourself, passengers, and anyone else involved for any possible injuries. If you notice any injuries, no matter how minor they seem, your top priority should be to dial emergency services and request an ambulance. Clearly mention that you’ve been in a car accident and provide them with your location details as accurately as you can.
Remember, emergency services are trained to guide you in such situations. If you’re uncertain about what to do next, don’t hesitate to call them.
Quick Tip: In case you’re finding it hard to pin down your exact location, and there aren’t any witnesses or other drivers nearby to help, consider using the ‘what3words‘ website or app.
‘what3words’ is a novel location tool that divides the globe into 3m x 3m squares, assigning each square a unique three-word identifier. Many emergency responders now rely on this system to pinpoint exact locations during emergencies. By using this tool, you can offer precise location details to the emergency team.
However, if it seems like there aren’t any injuries at the scene, it’s a good idea to make a note of that fact. This detail can be vital during the claims process, particularly if there are disputes or claims related to injuries later on.
Still, if you’re in doubt about any potential injuries, err on the side of caution and call emergency services regardless. It’s always better to be safe.
In the moments following an accident, the initial shock might still be setting in.
You’re not alone in this. Emotions are bound to be heightened for:
Remember, many people, like yourself, might be unsure about the right steps to take after an accident. This uncertainty can amplify feelings of anxiety and stress.
Taking a brief moment to centre yourself can make a world of difference. Try taking a few deep breaths and focusing on steadying your nerves.
Keeping a cool head is essential, not only for your well-being but also for effective communication and gathering crucial information. It’s in everyone’s best interest to avoid escalating tensions. Do your part to foster a calm environment and encourage others to stay composed as well.
It’s natural to want to say “sorry” after an accident, even if you’re not sure what exactly happened. But it’s wise to hold off on apologising.
Sometimes, people say sorry just out of habit or shock, even if the accident wasn’t their fault. But be careful: others might take your apology as you saying it was your fault, and that can cause issues when it’s time to sort things out with insurance.
If the other driver says they’re sorry or mentions anything about the accident, it’s a good idea to remember what they said and when. This can be helpful later on.
It’s also smart to have someone around who saw what happened, like a witness. They don’t need to know all the rules about accidents, but their memory of the event can help clear things up if needed.
If you’re worried someone might be hurt, always call for help. At the end of the day, everyone’s safety is the most important thing.
Step 2
It’s recommended that no matter the circumstance, the police are made aware of a car accident collision.
A common misunderstanding when people aren’t sure of what to do in a car accident is how and when should the police be brought into the situation.
It is the situation circumstances at hand that will depend on whether you’ll need to call the police immediately or whether you contact them once you leave the scene of the collision.
In certain situations following a non-fault accident, calling 999 is the best option. These include:
If the collision doesn’t require you to call 999, the best course of action is to notify your local police station within 24 hours. You can do this by:
Step 3
Once the initial shock has subsided and everyone is safe, it is a legal requirement for both drivers to exchange details. This is very important for a successful non-fault claim. These details must include the following:
Exchanging details with the other driver alone is sometimes not enough.
Ensure that all details are exchanged with any and all passengers; both from your own vehicle and importantly from the third-party vehicle as well.
To help build your claim once you have left the road traffic accident scene, witnesses are very important to the success and evidence.
If you have a witness at this point, ensure you collect the witness’s details in full.
After the initial shock has passed and you’ve made sure everyone is okay, UK law requires both drivers to share their details.
You’ll need to exchange the following:
It’s also wise to jot down the other driver’s insurance company name. This can be handy if you have trouble getting in touch with the driver later on.
Remember to both collect the other driver’s details and provide your own. It’s an offence not to share your details after a car accident. Failing to do so could not only land you in hot water but might also affect any accident claim you make later.
For a smooth claims process later on, keep the details you’ve collected safe. If you can, save them electronically by sending yourself an email or saving them in cloud storage.
While it’s always good to have a paper and pen for things like sketches (see our section on what information to jot down), remember paper can get lost or damaged easily. So, it’s best to keep a backup.
If you don’t have a witness right now, consider asking any new passers-by if they will accompany you as a witness from here onwards. This will be while you gather evidence of who is at fault, followed by accurate and detailed facts about the accident itself.
Step 4
Recording detailed information related to an accident is crucial for establishing evidence to unequivocally prove you were not at fault. If you are preparing for potential future incidents, we recommend keeping a small notepad in your vehicle at all times.
Take note of all third-party vehicles involved, including make, model, colour, year and registration plate.
It’s very important to take note of the exact time and date of the accident. Also, any precise timing of events leading up to the accident.
Take photographs, and if possible videos, of all vehicles, including your own. Make sure to capture damage and positions of vehicles.
If anyone one injured, make sure to make a note of this. In addition, if people weren’t injured, make a note of this also.
In addition to the vehicles, take photographs and videos of the accident scene and surrounding areas.
Ask witnesses to provide you with a detailed report and note this down. Ask them to sign and date it and collect their details.
Make an attempt to fully capture the riving conditions, including: Lighting, surface quality, weather etc.
If possible, create a visual drawing of how the accident happened. Agree this with the other driver and ask them to sign.
It’s a great idea to create a ‘commentary video’, walking around and explaining what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind.
Look around for any buildings with CCTV. Ask if any other vehicles that may have witnessed the accident have dash cam footage.
Step 5
After a car accident, extensive visible damage often clearly indicates the need for recovery. However, at times, damage isn’t as apparent.
Operating an unroadworthy vehicle is not only unsafe but also illegal in the UK. If you aren’t sure whether the car is safe, you should avoid driving it to prevent any further risk or complications. When considering accident recovery, the important things to know are:
Checking that your vehicle passes a ‘roadworthy vehicle check’ is the first place to start when considering recovery.
Avoid contacting your own insurance for recovery. Equally, avoid paying out for a private recovery service. There is a better way, at no cost to you, by working with an accident management company.
Here’s a checklist to help determine if a vehicle is roadworthy or if it might require recovery in the UK:
If any of the items on this checklist are not in proper working order, it may indicate that your vehicle isn’t roadworthy. If in doubt, it’s safer to request recovery or professional assistance rather than risk driving a potentially unsafe vehicle.
Note: This checklist serves as a basic guide and doesn’t replace regular vehicle maintenance checks or professional assessments.
For breakdowns or accidents, keep emergency essentials in your car. See our car emergency essentials guide for details.
Step 6
Many instinctively call their insurance after an accident, either to claim or seek advice, as most insurers have dedicated lines for this.
However, if you’re not at fault, directly claiming through your insurer may leave you at a disadvantage. Accident management companies offer an invaluable alternative, handling claims independently to ensure non-fault drivers receive what they’re entitled to with minimal disruption.
If you weren’t at fault for the accident, there is a better alternative. The choice of who you contact first, however, is important to secure your eligibility.
Working with a partner who understands what to do after a car accident is essential. Your dedicated claims handler will initiate a claim on your behalf.
Understand the next steps in what to do after a car accident – navigate the non-fault claims process with Auto Claims Assist.
When an accident happens, many people’s first thought is to ring their insurance company. Your own insurance company have a dedicated claims helplines and can provide guidance. However, if the accident wasn’t your fault, going directly to your insurer isn’t the most beneficial option.
When you’ve had a car accident, navigating the ins and outs of accident management can be challenging. That’s where we come in.
To initiate a claim with Auto Claims Assist, you have the following options:
The bottom line? You won’t have to worry about what comes next. We’ll guide you, ensuring you’re always in the loop. With our help, not only will your current situation be handled with care, but you’ll also be better prepared for any future incidents.
