What to do after a car accident
Stop the car, switch off the engine and check for injuries - stopping at the scene is a legal requirement. Then exchange details, gather evidence and tell your insurer as soon as you can, even if you do not plan to make a claim.
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What to do immediately after a car accident
However minor the bump, the first minutes follow the same pattern:
- Stop the car as soon as it is safe - failing to stop at the scene is a criminal offence
- Switch off the engine and turn on your hazard lights
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries
- Call 999 if anyone is hurt, the road is blocked, or the situation feels unsafe
- Stay calm and do not get drawn into arguments about blame at the roadside
If the vehicles are driveable and the road is busy, move them somewhere safe before exchanging details.
When to call the police
Call 999 immediately if anyone is injured, the road is blocked, or you suspect the other driver has been drinking, taking drugs or has no insurance. Call 101 for non-emergencies.
There is also a reporting duty many drivers miss: if you could not exchange details at the scene - for example, you hit a parked car or an animal and the owner was not there - you must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours. Waiting for the owner to contact you does not satisfy the law.
What insurance details do I give in an accident?
By law, you must give your name, your address, the vehicle's registration number, and the vehicle owner's name and address if the car is not yours. If anyone is injured, you must also provide your insurance details - insurer name and policy or certificate number.
Collect the same from the other driver, plus their phone number if they will share it. Do not apologise or admit fault at the scene, even out of politeness - liability is for the insurers to establish, and an admission can complicate your claim.
What evidence to gather at the scene
Good evidence settles disputed claims. If it is safe, photograph the damage to all vehicles, their positions on the road, the registration plates and the wider scene, including road signs and markings. Note the time, location, weather and road conditions, and ask any witnesses for their contact details. If a vehicle has a dash cam, say so in your notes - footage is often decisive.
Injury claims and whiplash
Injuries do not always show up at the scene - whiplash symptoms in particular often appear a day or two later, so see a GP and keep records if anything develops. Most low-value whiplash claims now go through the government's Official Injury Claim service, with compensation set by a fixed tariff.
If an injury is more serious, take advice before accepting any early settlement offer from an insurer. Once accepted, an offer normally closes the claim for good.
Car accident my fault - what happens?
If the accident was your fault, your insurer handles the third party's costs: their repairs, any injury claims and related losses. What happens to your own car depends on your cover - comprehensive policies pay for your repairs minus your excess, while third party only policies pay nothing towards your own damage.
An at-fault claim usually reduces your no claims discount unless it is protected, and your premium will typically rise at renewal. If the damage is severe, the insurer may declare the car a total loss - our guide to car write-off categories explains what each category means.
What happens if the accident was not your fault
If the other driver is at fault, their insurer pays for your repairs, your losses and any injuries. Keep records of every cost the accident causes - hire cars, travel, damaged items - as these can form part of the claim.
You still need to tell your own insurer about the accident, and you may be offered a courtesy car while yours is repaired. Our guide on how long you can keep a courtesy car covers the time limits.
When to tell your insurer
Tell your insurer about any accident as soon as reasonably possible - most policies require notification within a set period, often 24 or 48 hours, even if you do not intend to claim. Reporting is not the same as claiming: an information-only report keeps you compliant with your policy terms and protects you if the other party claims later. Say clearly that it is for information only if you do not want to claim.
How an accident affects your premium
Expect some effect at renewal, even for a non-fault claim - insurers' data shows drivers who have had one accident are statistically more likely to have another. An at-fault claim usually costs part of your no claims discount too, unless it is protected.
Declare the accident on future quotes for as long as insurers ask, which is usually five years. Leaving it off a quote risks invalidating the new policy.
Need a car while yours is off the road?
If your car is undriveable after an accident and you need to borrow one while it is repaired, temporary car insurance covers you on someone else's car from one hour to several weeks, with comprehensive cover as standard. It is a practical stopgap that leaves the owner's policy untouched - see our borrow a car insurance page for how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report a car accident to the police?
Only in certain situations. You must report it as soon as reasonably practicable - and within 24 hours at the latest - if you could not exchange details at the scene, and you should call 999 at the time if anyone is injured, the road is blocked or another driver appears unfit to drive. A minor bump where details were exchanged does not need police involvement.
Do I have to tell my insurer about an accident if I do not claim?
Yes. Almost all UK policies require you to report any accident, usually within 24 to 48 hours, whether or not you claim. Tell them it is for information only if you do not want to make a claim. Failing to report can breach your policy terms and cause problems if the other party claims later.
What happens if the other driver is uninsured?
You may be able to claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau, which compensates people hit by uninsured or untraced drivers. If you have comprehensive cover, you can claim through your own insurer instead, although your excess and no claims discount may be affected while liability is resolved.
How long after an accident can I make a claim?
Personal injury claims can generally be brought up to three years after the accident. Claims for vehicle damage through your own policy have much shorter notification windows, set by your policy terms, so report damage promptly even if you are still deciding whether to claim.
Should I admit fault at the scene of an accident?
No. Do not apologise or accept blame at the roadside, even if you think you caused the accident. Liability is decided by the insurers using the evidence, and roadside admissions made under stress are often inaccurate. Exchange details, gather evidence and let your insurer handle the rest.
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