What To Do After A Car Accident | Auto Claims Assist

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    Close

    Advice centre

    Advice category: At the accident scene

    What to do after a car accident

    Reviewed by Chris Brennan

    Reviewed by Chris Brennan -

    Written by Tyler Lally

    Last updated on May 21, 2026

    Knowing what to do after a car accident is important for your safety, to follow the law, and to protect your position.

    1. Stop safely and check for injuries

    Your first priority after an accident is to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

    • It’s a legal requirement to stop after any accident causing injury or damage. Where possible, stop in a safe place without obstructing traffic.
    • Put on your hazard lights, turn off your engine, and check everyone involved for injuries.
    If it’s safe to do so, take photos or videos of the vehicles in their final resting positions before moving them. This evidence shows the point of impact, direction of travel, and how the collision happened.

    2. When to contact emergency services

    In an emergency, call 999 if:

    • Anyone is in danger
    • Someone has been seriously injured
    • You believe a serious offence has been committed
    • The collision is blocking or obstructing the road

    When it’s not an emergency, you can report the accident at a police station, online, or call 101 if:

    • The other driver has fled the scene without exchanging details
    • You believe another driver is uninsured
    • You couldn’t exchange details or report the damage at the scene

    Even for minor incidents, it’s a good idea to contact the police so there’s an official record of what happened.

    3. Exchanging details with the driver

    You are legally required to exchange details with the other driver.

    Gathering all details is important for a successful claim:

    Legally required details

    • Full name
    • Home address
    • Vehicle registration number
    • Vehicle owner's name and address (if the driver is not the owner of the vehicle in the accident)

    Also important for your claim

    What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

    If you suspect the other driver is uninsured, you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours. The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) may be able to help you claim for damage, even if the other party is uninsured. You can also quickly check if a car is insured using the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

    4. Don’t admit fault and stick to the facts

    It’s natural to want to say “sorry” after an accident; it’s a human reaction, not an admission of fault.

    Avoid discussing who was to blame or making assumptions about what happened. Fault is decided later based on evidence, not on what’s said at the scene.

    • Be polite and stick to the facts when speaking with the other driver.
    • If the other driver becomes aggressive or the situation starts to escalate, step away and call the police.
    • Make a note if the other driver says anything about how the accident happened, it may be useful later.

    5. Gather evidence

    Gathering as much evidence at the scene as possible is the most important thing you can do. It provides a factual record that minimises disputes and is the key part of a successful claim.

    • Witness details: An independent witness can be valuable. Be sure to ask them if they actually saw the accident and if they'd be willing to provide a statement. Get their full name, contact information, and a brief account of what they saw.
    • Dashcams: If you have a dashcam, save the footage immediately. If any witnesses captured the accident, ask for a copy or record the footage on your phone.
    • CCTV: Look around for any nearby buildings or traffic cameras that might have captured the accident.
    • Notes: Write down the exact time and date of the accident, the road names, and add a quick sketch of the scene.
    • Photos and videos: Use your phone to take photographs and videos. Get as much as you can of the following:
      • The final resting position of both vehicles (if possible)
      • Vehicle damage, including both your car and the other vehicle
      • Road conditions, such as skid marks, debris, and weather
      • Road signs or traffic lights that may be relevant to the collision
    Expert insight from Ian Budsworth, Managing Director "You cannot take too many pictures or videos at the scene. For us handling the claims, visual evidence takes the guesswork out of reconstructing the accident. When a client provides clear photos or videos, it's often a 'bang, decision made' moment for us to take on the case and establish liability immediately."

    6. Arrange for roadside recovery

    It is a criminal offence to drive an unroadworthy vehicle on the road.

    If you’re unsure whether your vehicle is safe to drive, it is best to arrange for recovery.

    Repair costs after a non-fault accident have risen 24.7% since 2019 to an average of £5,191, and two in three vehicles are now written off rather than repaired (Auto Claims Assist data, 31,299 claims, 2019–2025). Driving a damaged vehicle from the scene risks worsening the damage and tipping your car over the write-off threshold.

    7. Report the accident and start your claim

    After an accident, you have may have a contractual duty to notify your insurer, even if you do not plan to claim with them.

    However, if the accident wasn’t your fault, we can handle the entire process on your behalf. We will claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurer, saving you the hassle of dealing with your own insurance company.

    By using an accident management company, you receive a like-for-like replacement vehicle and have your car repaired without having to pay your policy excess or risk your no-claims bonus.

    Speak to a non-fault claim specialist

    We have a dedicated 24/7 Accident Recovery team that can assist should you have had a road traffic accident.

    Call us on 0330 128 1407
    No caller wait time
    Call me back Start my claim
    Trustpilot
    Google Reviews
    Make a Non-Fault Claim Cta
    Editorial History (View Full Timeline)

    Request a callback

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Open today

      0330 128 1407
      No caller wait time
      No Caller Wait Time