Guide
What to Do After a Car Accident
The moments after a car accident are stressful. This is a simple, calm checklist of what to do, so you stay safe and protect a potential claim.
Last reviewed: Reviewed by the Auto Crash Claims editorial team
Step by step
- Stop and make sure everyone is safe. Stop your vehicle, switch off the engine and put your hazard lights on. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries and call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
- Exchange details. Swap names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance details with the other driver. Note the vehicle make, model and registration.
- Gather evidence. If it is safe, take photos of the vehicles, the damage, the road layout and any skid marks. Note the time, weather and road conditions, and get details of any witnesses.
- Report it if needed. If anyone is injured, or the other driver will not give details, report it to the police. Tell your own insurer what happened, even if you do not intend to claim through them.
- Check whether you can claim. If the accident was not your fault, you could be owed compensation. A quick, free check tells you where you stand, with no obligation to go ahead.
Knowing what to do after a car accident makes a stressful moment easier to handle, and it protects your position if you later decide to claim. Once you are safe and have gathered what you can, a free, no-obligation check tells you whether you have a claim worth pursuing.
Key takeaways
- Safety first: stop, hazard lights on, check for injuries
- Photos and witness details make a claim much stronger
- A free check tells you whether you have a claim
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to call the police after every accident?
Not always, but you should if anyone is injured, the road is blocked, or the other driver refuses to give their details or drives off.
What if I did not gather much evidence at the scene?
Do not worry, because you may still have a claim. The specialists can work with what you have, so it is still worth checking.
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