What to Do After a Car Accident

If you have just had a car accident, try to stay calm and focus on the next safe step.

You should stop safely, check for injuries, call 999 if needed, exchange details, take photos, report the accident to the police if required, and tell your insurer as soon as possible. This is important even if you do not plan to make a claim.

At Got You Covered, we know an accident can be stressful. This blog explains what to do at the scene, what details to collect, when to contact the police, and what may happen with your insurance afterwards.

Stop and Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

You must stop if you are involved in an accident that causes injury or damage to another person, vehicle, animal, or property. The Highway Code says you must stop after this type of collision.

If it is safe, switch on your hazard lights. Check whether you or anyone else is hurt.

If the vehicles are causing danger and can be moved safely, move them to a safer place. Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger.

Call 999 if Needed

Call 999 straight away if:

• someone is injured
• the road is blocked or unsafe
• there is a risk of fire, fuel spillage, or debris
• the other driver leaves the scene
• you suspect drink or drug driving
• you think the crash may have been staged
• there is aggressive or unsafe behaviour

For less urgent police help, you may be able to call 101 or use your local police force’s online reporting service. Police.uk explains when road collisions should be reported.

Exchange Details with the Other Driver

After a car accident, you should exchange details with the other driver.

The legal details you may need to provide are your name, address, vehicle registration number, and the owner’s name and address if the vehicle is not yours. You can read the official guidance on what to do if you are in an accident on GOV.UK.

Try to collect:

• the other driver’s full name and address
• their phone number
• their vehicle registration number
• the make, model, and colour of their vehicle
• their insurance details, if available
• the owner’s details, if the driver does not own the vehicle

If the other driver refuses to share details, note down what you can. This could include their registration number, vehicle details, and a description of the driver. You should report this to the police and tell your insurer.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Good evidence can help your insurer understand what happened.

If it is safe, take photos of:

• damage to all vehicles
• the position of the vehicles
• road markings
• traffic signs
• weather and road conditions
• debris on the road
• any visible injuries, where safe and appropriate
• the other vehicle’s number plate

Also, make a note of:

• the time and date
• the exact location
• the direction each vehicle was travelling
• what happened before the accident
• names and contact details of any witnesses

If you have dashcam footage, save it as soon as you can. Some dashcams overwrite older footage.

Do Not Admit Fault at the Scene

It is natural to feel shaken after a crash. You may want to say sorry. But try not to accept blame before the facts are clear.

Stick to the facts when speaking to the other driver, witnesses, police, and your insurer.

You do not need to argue about who was at fault at the roadside. The insurers will usually review the evidence before liability is agreed.

Do You Need to Report a Car Accident to the Police?

You do not always need to report a car accident to the police.

In many cases, you may not need to report it if:

• everyone stopped
• details were exchanged
• nobody was injured
• there are no suspected driving offences

But you must report the accident if you could not exchange details at the scene. GOV.UK says you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you do not give your details at the time.

You should also report it if someone was injured, the other driver left the scene, or you suspect a driving offence. Police.uk gives further guidance on reporting road collisions.

Tell Your Insurer

You should tell your insurer about the accident as soon as possible, even if you do not want to make a claim.

The Association of British Insurers advises drivers to tell their insurer about all accidents. Your policy may also set a time limit for reporting incidents, so check your policy documents.

When you contact your insurer, have these ready:

• your policy number
• the other driver’s details
• vehicle registration numbers
• photos from the scene
• witness details
• the police reference number, if you have one
• any dashcam footage

If you are insured through us, our make a claim page has useful contact details for motor claims.

What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Leaves the Scene?

If the other driver is uninsured, refuses to share details, or leaves the scene, you should:

• report it to the police
• tell your insurer
• provide as much evidence as possible
• keep photos, witness details, and any police reference number

Your insurer may be able to trace the other driver through their registration number.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau may be able to help with claims involving uninsured or untraced drivers. This can include some hit-and-run cases.

You can also check whether a vehicle is insured through the askMID vehicle insurance check.

What If You Are Injured?

If you are injured, seek medical help.

Some injuries do not feel serious straight away. Whiplash is a common example. The NHS says whiplash symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and pain in the shoulders or arms. Symptoms can take several hours to start.

Get medical advice if you feel pain or discomfort after the accident. Keep a record of your symptoms, appointments, and any treatment.

If symptoms are severe, or you have weakness, tingling, problems walking, or severe pain, seek urgent medical help.

Making a Car Accident Insurance Claim

Once you tell your insurer, they will explain the next steps.

The claims process may include:

• giving a full account of what happened
• sharing photos and evidence
• providing witness details
• arranging vehicle inspection or repair
• paying your policy excess
• waiting for the liability to be agreed
• finding out whether your car can be repaired or is a write-off

Citizens Advice has a useful guide on making a vehicle insurance claim after an accident.

If your car is written off, your insurer will usually assess its market value at the time of the accident. If you disagree with the valuation, the Financial Ombudsman Service has guidance on motor valuations and write-offs.

Will an Accident Affect Your Insurance?

A car accident can affect your insurance, but the impact depends on the situation.

Your premium may rise if:

• you make a claim
• your insurer cannot recover costs from the other driver
• your no-claims bonus is reduced
• your claims history changes
• insurers see you as a higher risk at renewal

Even if you do not claim, you may still need to declare the accident when you renew or apply for insurance. MoneyHelper explains that you need to declare accidents or damage when you renew, even if you did not claim.

If your no-claims bonus is affected, our blog on what a No Claims Discount is and where you can access it may help.

You can also read our blog on what affects your car insurance premium.

Getting Cover After an Accident with Got You Covered

At Got You Covered, we arrange specialist car insurance and van insurance for drivers with previous claims, motoring convictions, or a low no-claims bonus.

If a recent accident has made it harder to get cover, we may be able to help. We work with a panel of UK insurers who consider a wide range of circumstances.

We cannot promise that every driver will be offered cover or that every quote will be cheaper. But we will look at your details and try to find suitable options based on your situation.

Car Accident Checklist

Save this quick checklist in case you need it later.

• Stop safely.
• Switch on your hazard lights if needed.
• Check for injuries.
• Call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is unsafe.
• Exchange details with the other driver.
• Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and damage.
• Get witness details.
• Do not admit fault at the scene.
• Report the accident to the police if required.
• Tell your insurer as soon as possible.
• Seek medical help if you feel pain or discomfort.
• Keep all notes, records, receipts, and reference numbers.