After a car accident – what to do

Road safety in the UK is getting better, but it’s still the case that car accidents do happen. Risks can spike in winter, when adverse weather such as snow, ice and fog hamper motoring conditions.

If you have a car accident the most important thing to do is stay calm – you may be injured or in a state of shock, but try not to panic. Keeping your cool and remaining composed will help you respond better to the situation.

If the car accident has caused to damage to people, animals, vehicles or property, you are required by law to remain at the scene. Failure to stop could result in criminal proceedings.

If yourself or anyone else involved in the car accident is injured, call 999 immediately. If the accident is not serious, it still might be worth reporting it to the police. If the police do attend the scene, get as much information from them as possible – such as log numbers and any report compiled by officers.

You will also need to collect as much information as possible with any injured parties or relevant witnesses. This is crucial. Building as true and honest an impression as you can will assist your insurance claim.

You might be shaken up and not thinking straight in the immediate wake of an accident – but make sure you speak to anyone involved in the collision about the specifics. Only speak to the police about the specifics incident.

Start to construct a timeline of events in your head. Jot down what you remember as soon as you are able, noting key details of the time leading up to the collision and the accident itself, like the type of cars involved and their registration numbers. If you have a camera, take some pictures of the scene.

One way to ensure you’re always prepared for this is to keep an accident kit in your vehicle in case of such an emergency, including a notepad and pen, camera, and relevant documents.

After exchanging details, get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible. Give your insurer all the information you have – by sharing as much accurate information as possible will help you get the best possible outcome from any claim that may arise.

Unfortunately, accidents on the roads do happen. However, you can make sorting it out a whole lot easier by following a few simple guidelines.

Get more information on car accident claims.