If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important that you are prepared and aware of the first steps you need to take. In the heat of the moment, it's easy for things to slip your mind, so revising the list of actions you should take is always a good idea.
Here’s our comprehensive guide to everything you need to know if you have a car accident.
What Should You Do First?
Here are 3 key things you need to do in the immediate aftermath of a car accident:
- Stop and turn off your engine
- Switch on your hazard warning lights
- Check for injuries and alert the emergency services if someone has been hurt
It may seem obvious, but the very first thing you should do is stop and turn your engine off – it’s an offence not to do so.
Make sure you put your hazard lights on so other road users are aware something has happened so that they are able to slow down and stop if they can’t pass.
It can be difficult but try to stay calm; it’s not a situation that anyone wants to find themselves in, but it’s important you keep your cool.
The next thing you should do is check whether anyone’s been injured.
If nobody is injured:
- If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent any further collisions and minimise disruption
- Let the other driver(s) know so they don’t think that you are driving off
- Make sure you make a note of this to prevent any injury claims being made at a later date
If people are injured:
Call 999 and don’t attempt to move anyone or the vehicles involved, as there’s a chance it could be serious.
What Details Do You Need to Make a Note of?
It’s really important that you exchange all of the necessary information with all parties involved, including passengers and witnesses. If damage is caused, it is an offence not to do so.
Make sure you have recorded:
- Time and date
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance details
- Vehicle details, including make, model, colour and number plate
- The extent of the damage to the vehicles and location of the damage
It’s also important to do the following:
- Check who the registered vehicle owner is
- If the incident involves a lorry from overseas, make sure you also make a note of the company the driver works for
- Take some photos of the damage and location to send to your insurance company – this will support your claim
- Record the time of day, weather, speed, traffic flow, lighting, road quality, visibility and any other factors that may have caused or contributed to the accident
Who Do You Need to Tell if You Have an Accident?
If there are injuries or disruptions to other road users, you’ll need to contact the emergency services straight away. You need to alert the police if you believe the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, caused the accident on purpose, or left the scene without exchanging any details.
You also need to inform your insurance company at the time of the accident – ensure you have the details listed above before contacting your insurance company.
You will also need to let the police know within 24 hours even if you decide not to claim; not informing the police can result in points on your licence, a fine or even disqualification from driving.
What if the Accident was Your Fault?
It is advisable not to admit liability until you are sure of what happened, as you may invalidate your insurance policy. Continue with the steps above and contact your insurance providing them with details of the accident as soon as possible.
Failure to provide the correct information to your insurance company can result in your policy being invalidated which is also known as your insurance being ‘null’. If your insurance is invalidated, your insurer won’t pay out.
What if There was a Witness?
Typically witnesses only stop their journey if there has been a major incident where there has been an excessive amount of damage and potential injuries. In comparison to a major incident, a minor accident would result in more minimal damage and less serious injuries.
Regardless of whether an accident is minor or major, if there is a witness, it is important to gather their information as it can provide a valuable third-party testimony. This information can help corroborate your account and assist with solving disputes with your insurance company.
Failure to secure witness details may lead to difficulties in proving your claims resulting in a lack of evidence to support your case.
What if Your Car is Damaged?
If your car is damaged, it may not be safe to drive, so it’s important to get it checked by a professional as soon as you can. Remember, if you weren’t at fault, you are legally entitled to decide who repairs your vehicle.
At our manufacturer-approved Body Clinics, you can have your vehicle repaired using genuine parts by our skilled technicians.
What if No One Else was Involved?
If the accident involved a parked car or private property, leave a visible note with your details on for the owner. There may have been witnesses or CCTV so it’s important to be honest as you may get caught out if not!
What if You Suspect the Crash was Intentional?
Sadly, there are people who ‘crash-for-cash’ which is when someone intentionally causes an accident in order to make a fraudulent insurance claim. They might do this by:
- Braking unexpectedly
- Flashing to indicate for you to go and then crashing into you
- Removing their brake light bulbs, meaning you get no warning, making it more likely that you will crash into them
If they already have their details written out, and immediately put the blame on you, that’s a sign it could be a scam.
You may receive a letter from the insurance company over-exaggerating the accident, damage, and injuries a few weeks later, to maximise their pay-out.
You can try to avoid being a victim of these scams by:
- Being wary of inconsistent drivers
- Leaving plenty of space
- Noticing if brake lights are out
- Taking extra care in stop/start traffic, at roundabouts and when merging with other traffic
How Can You Protect Yourself in the Future?
Dash cams are an excellent solution as they can provide vital evidence in road accidents, especially in the case of a crash-for-cash claim.
Other safety features fitted in your vehicle that can help minimise the likeliness of a crash can include:
- Lane departure warning systems
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- eCall
Do You Have to Make a Claim?
You don’t have to make a claim, but it is advisable to make your insurer aware in case the other driver changes their mind and decides to make a claim at a later date.
You may choose to pay for the accident repairs yourself if they are on a small scale, or decide not to claim at all to prevent losing your no-claims discount.
Getting Your Car Repaired With JCT600
When you have an accident, it can feel overwhelming as there’s a lot to think about, but JCT600 are here to help.
You can contact our Accident Aftercare Service on 0800 056 1891, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The service includes a similar courtesy car, and recovery if required. We will coordinate your repairs, and liaise with your insurer and a third party, whilst handling any uninsured losses or injury claims.