Introduction
Being involved in a car accident, even a minor one, is stressful, and it's easy to forget what you're supposed to do while you're still shaken from the impact. Knowing the right sequence of steps in advance, safety first, then your legal duties, then evidence, then reporting, means you're far less likely to make a costly mistake or miss something that later affects your insurance claim. This guide walks through exactly what to do after a car accident in the UK, from the moment of impact through to starting a claim, and explains the legal duties that apply under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code.
This guide complements our broader Car Insurance Claims Guide UK, which covers the claims process itself in more detail, and our No Claims Bonus Explained UK guide, which explains how fault and non-fault claims affect your discount.
Key Terms Explained
- Notifiable Accident
- An accident causing damage or injury to another person, vehicle, animal (such as a dog, horse, cattle, sheep, pig, goat or poultry) or certain roadside property, which triggers your legal duties to stop and, where relevant, report it.
- Duty to Stop
- The legal requirement under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to stop at the scene of a notifiable accident, regardless of who was at fault.
- Fault Claim
- A claim where your insurer accepts you were wholly or partly responsible, which can affect your no claims discount and future premiums.
- Non-Fault Claim
- A claim where the accident is considered to be someone else's responsibility, though this can still affect your policy depending on whether costs are recovered.
- Third Party
- Anyone other than you (the policyholder) and your insurer who is involved in or affected by an accident, such as the other driver, their passengers, or a pedestrian.
- Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)
- An organisation that compensates victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraced drivers in the UK, funded by contributions from insurers.
Why This Matters
What you do in the minutes and hours after a car accident can genuinely affect both your safety and the outcome of any insurance or legal claim that follows. Failing to stop or report a notifiable accident is a criminal offence, not just an insurance issue, while poor evidence gathering at the scene can make it considerably harder to prove what happened weeks later if the other party disputes your account. Having a clear mental checklist in advance means you're acting from preparation rather than panic.
Immediate Safety Steps
Your very first priority after any collision is safety, not paperwork. If you're able to, and it's safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to a place of relative safety, such as a hard shoulder, lay-by or side street, rather than leaving it blocking a live carriageway. Switch on your hazard warning lights immediately so other road users are warned of the obstruction. Turn off your engine, and if you have a warning triangle, use it to alert approaching traffic, though the Highway Code specifically advises against placing a warning triangle on a motorway. If you've broken down or been involved in a collision on a motorway, get out of the vehicle only if it's safe to do so, and move well away from the carriageway, ideally behind a barrier, while you wait for help.
Checking for Injuries and Calling 999
Once your vehicle is in a safer position, check yourself, your passengers and anyone else involved for injuries. Call 999 immediately if anyone is injured, even if the injury seems minor, since some injuries, particularly to the neck or back, aren't always immediately obvious. You should also call 999 if the road is blocked in a way that's causing a danger to other traffic, if a driver involved appears to be unfit to drive (for example through drink, drugs, or a medical episode), or if a driver has failed to stop and you weren't able to get their details. If you call 999, be ready to give the exact location, the number of vehicles and casualties involved, and whether anyone is trapped.
Your Legal Duty to Stop
Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, if you're involved in a road traffic accident that causes damage or injury to another person, vehicle, animal or certain property, you have a legal duty to stop, regardless of whether you believe you were at fault. Failing to stop at the scene of a notifiable accident is a criminal offence under section 170(2) of the Act. This duty applies to every driver involved, not just the driver who appears to have caused the collision.
Exchanging Details: What the Law Requires
Rule 286 of the Highway Code, reflecting the Road Traffic Act 1988, sets out that if a collision causes damage or injury to another person, vehicle, animal or property, you must give your own name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address if different, and the vehicle's registration number to anyone who has reasonable grounds for requesting them. This applies whether the other party is a driver, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or the owner of damaged property such as a wall or fence.
When the Police Must Be Called
You don't need to call the police to attend every minor accident. However, you should contact the police at the time if anyone is injured, if the road is blocked or dangerous, if a driver appears unfit to drive, if a driver fails to stop, or if you're unable to exchange the legally required details with the other party at the scene. Police attendance also tends to be expected for accidents involving significant damage, suspected criminal behaviour, or where one party is behaving aggressively or refuses to cooperate.
Reporting to Police Within 24 Hours
If you're unable to exchange the required details with the other party at the scene, whether because they left, refused to provide details, or the accident involved an unattended vehicle or unidentified property, you must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any case, within 24 hours of the accident occurring. This can generally be done at a police station or by calling the police's non-emergency number. Failing to report a notifiable accident within this window is a separate offence under section 170(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 from failing to stop, and both offences can carry penalty points, a fine, and in more serious cases, disqualification or imprisonment.
Gathering Evidence at the Scene
Once everyone is safe and any necessary emergency calls have been made, gathering good evidence while you're still at the scene makes a real difference if there's any dispute later about how the accident happened. This doesn't need to take long, and most of it can be done from a phone in a few minutes.
What to Photograph
Take photos of the position of all vehicles involved before they're moved, if it's safe to leave them in place, along with close-up photos of the damage to each vehicle, the wider road layout, any relevant road signs or markings, weather and lighting conditions, and the other vehicle's number plate. If there's visible debris, skid marks, or damage to property such as a wall, lamppost or fence, photograph these too. Photos with a visible timestamp, or taken immediately and backed up promptly, carry more weight than photos taken or edited later.
Getting Witness Details
If anyone witnessed the accident and is willing to give a statement, take their name and contact details before they leave the scene. Independent witnesses, meaning people with no connection to either driver, can be particularly valuable if the other party's account of events differs from yours. You're not obliged to record a full statement at the roadside; simply having contact details so your insurer or, if needed, the police can follow up later is generally sufficient.
Dashcam Footage
If you or the other driver has a dashcam, this footage can be some of the strongest evidence available, since it provides an objective, timestamped record of what happened rather than relying on memory or a verbal account. If your dashcam was recording, save and back up the footage as soon as possible, since some dashcams overwrite older footage automatically once storage fills up. If another driver or a nearby business has relevant footage (for example from a doorbell camera or shopfront CCTV), it's worth politely asking whether they'd be willing to share it, though they aren't obliged to.
Talking to the Other Driver
It's natural to want to talk through what happened with the other driver, but it's generally best to keep this conversation factual and polite, and to avoid admitting fault, apologising in a way that could be read as accepting liability, or speculating about who was to blame. Fault is a determination that should be made properly by insurers (and, where relevant, the courts) based on the full evidence, not settled informally at the roadside in the immediate aftermath of a stressful event.
Children and Passengers in the Vehicle
If you have children or other passengers in the vehicle, check on them first alongside your own safety check, and keep them safely away from moving traffic while you deal with the practicalities of the accident. If a child safety seat was involved in a collision of any significant force, many manufacturers recommend replacing it even if there's no visible damage, since the internal structure can be compromised in ways that aren't obvious. Check your car seat manufacturer's guidance and, where relevant, discuss this with your insurer as part of your claim.
Moving Vehicles and Recovering the Scene
Once evidence has been gathered and it's safe to do so, move vehicles clear of live traffic if they're causing an obstruction and are safe to drive. If a vehicle isn't safe to drive, whether due to damage, a punctured tyre, or a warning light, arrange recovery rather than continuing the journey. Many motor insurance policies include a breakdown or accident recovery service as standard or as an optional add-on, so check your policy documents or insurer app for a recovery contact number before arranging your own recovery, which may not be reimbursed if arranged independently.
Notifying Your Insurer
Most UK motor insurance policies require you to notify your insurer of any accident as soon as reasonably possible, even a minor one, and even if you don't intend to make a claim. This is because the other party could later make a claim against you, or damage that seems minor at first could turn out to be more serious once properly inspected. The exact notification window and the consequences of late notification vary by insurer and are set out in your policy wording, so check this if you're unsure, and don't assume that not claiming means you don't need to tell your insurer at all.
What Happens After You Report a Claim
Once you've reported an accident to your insurer, they'll typically ask you to complete a claim form covering what happened, when and where, the other party's details, and any evidence you've gathered. Depending on the damage, your insurer may arrange for an engineer's inspection or ask you to take your vehicle to an approved repairer. If the other driver's insurer disputes fault, your insurer will generally handle the negotiation on your behalf, drawing on the evidence collected, including any dashcam footage, photos and witness statements, which is exactly why gathering good evidence early matters so much.
If the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Untraced
If you're involved in a collision with a driver who turns out to be uninsured, or who fails to stop and can't be traced, you may still be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), a scheme funded by UK insurers specifically to compensate victims in these situations. Our Uninsured and Untraced Driver Claims (MIB) UK guide explains how this process works, what it covers, and how to start a claim if you find yourself in this situation.
Non-Fault Claims and Your No Claims Discount
If an accident genuinely wasn't your fault, this is generally treated as a non-fault claim, which typically has a different effect on your no claims discount than a fault claim, though the details vary by insurer. It's still usually recorded as a claim on insurance databases even if costs are fully recovered from the other party's insurer, which is why understanding how fault is determined and evidenced matters so much. Our No Claims Bonus Explained UK guide covers this distinction, including how non-fault claims are typically treated, in more detail.
Replacement Vehicles and Credit Hire
If your car is undriveable after a non-fault accident, you may be offered a replacement vehicle through a credit hire arrangement, sometimes via an accident management company rather than your own insurer. These arrangements can be useful, but they also carry risks if not handled carefully, including potentially large bills if liability is later disputed. Our Credit Hire and Accident Management Companies UK guide explains how these arrangements work and what to check before agreeing to one.
Injury and Whiplash Claims
If you or a passenger suffers a whiplash-type injury, this is typically handled as a personal injury claim, which in England and Wales is now generally processed through a reformed small claims and tariff-based system for lower-value whiplash injuries following the 2021 whiplash reforms. Our Whiplash Reform and Small Claims for Car Insurance UK guide covers how this process works, including the online claims portal most claimants now use, in detail. Seek appropriate medical attention for any injury, even one that seems minor at first, both for your health and because medical evidence is generally an important part of any injury claim.
Claims Management Companies: Proceed With Caution
After an accident, particularly one involving injury, you may be approached directly, sometimes very quickly, by claims management companies offering to handle your claim. While some operate legitimately and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, others charge high fees for work your own insurer's claims team, or a solicitor, could handle more cost-effectively. Our Claims Management Companies and Insurance UK guide explains what to check before engaging one, including how to verify their regulatory status.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents and Pile-Ups
Accidents involving several vehicles, sometimes called multi-vehicle collisions or pile-ups, add complexity, since determining exactly who is liable for which part of the damage can take longer and may involve several insurers. The same core steps apply: prioritise safety, call 999 if there's any injury or serious obstruction, and gather details and evidence for every vehicle involved where it's safe to do so, not just the vehicle that hit you directly. In fast-moving, multi-vehicle situations, particularly on motorways, staying well clear of the carriageway while you wait for emergency services is especially important given the ongoing risk from other traffic.
Accidents Involving Pedestrians or Cyclists
If your accident involves a pedestrian or cyclist, the same legal duty to stop and exchange details applies, and the police should generally be called given the significantly higher risk of injury in these collisions. Check on the pedestrian or cyclist's welfare immediately and call 999 if there's any possibility of injury, even if they say they feel fine at first, since shock can mask injury symptoms in the immediate aftermath. Exchange details in the same way as you would with another driver, and note that your car insurance liability cover generally extends to injuries or damage you cause to pedestrians and cyclists, not just to other vehicles.
Accidents While Driving Abroad
If you're involved in an accident while driving abroad, whether in your own vehicle taken overseas or a hire car, the same broad principles of safety first, exchanging details, and gathering evidence apply, but the legal process, required documentation (such as a European Accident Statement form) and insurance procedures vary by country. Our Driving Abroad: European Motor Insurance Cover UK guide explains what to check before you travel and how cover typically extends, or doesn't, to driving in other countries.
Company Cars, Leased Vehicles and Finance Agreements
If you're driving a company car, a leased vehicle, or a car still on finance, you'll generally need to report the accident to your employer, leasing company or finance provider in addition to the insurer, since these parties retain an interest in the vehicle and its condition. Check your employment policy or lease agreement for any specific reporting requirements or timeframes, which are sometimes stricter than a standard personal insurance policy. If the vehicle is written off while still on finance, you may face a shortfall between what the insurer pays out and what's still owed, which is where gap insurance, covered in our GAP Insurance UK guide, becomes relevant.
DVLA and Write-Off Considerations
For most accidents, there's no separate requirement to notify the DVLA directly, since your insurer generally handles matters relating to the vehicle's registration if it's declared a write-off. However, if you dispose of a vehicle following an accident, whether to a scrapyard, an insurer, or a salvage buyer, you're responsible for notifying the DVLA of the change so the vehicle record is updated correctly and you're not held liable for it going forward. Keep any paperwork from your insurer confirming the vehicle's write-off category and disposal for your own records.
Insurance Claim vs Personal Injury Claim
It's worth understanding that an insurance claim for vehicle damage and a personal injury claim for an injury you've suffered are related but separate processes, and can run on different timescales. Vehicle damage claims are often resolved relatively quickly once liability and the cost of repair or write-off are established, while personal injury claims can take considerably longer, particularly if the full extent of an injury isn't clear immediately or if liability is disputed. Your insurer or a solicitor handling an injury claim can generally explain how the two processes interact in your specific case.
Record-Keeping After an Accident
Keep a simple, organised record of everything related to the accident: photos, witness details, correspondence with insurers, the police reference number if one was issued, medical records if there's an injury, and receipts for any expenses you've incurred as a result, such as recovery, alternative transport, or car hire. This makes it considerably easier to answer questions from your insurer, respond to any dispute, and, if needed, escalate a complaint later if you feel a claim hasn't been handled fairly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Moving vehicles or leaving the scene before it's safe or appropriate to do so.
- Admitting fault or apologising in a way that could be read as accepting liability.
- Failing to exchange the legally required details with the other party.
- Not reporting to the police within 24 hours when details couldn't be exchanged at the scene.
- Delaying notification to your own insurer, even for a minor accident you don't intend to claim for.
- Agreeing to a credit hire vehicle or claims management service without understanding the terms.
- Not backing up dashcam footage before it's automatically overwritten.
Common Myths
- Myth: You must always call the police after an accident. Police attendance is only legally required in specific circumstances, such as injury, an unfit driver, or where details can't be exchanged.
- Myth: If you don't claim, you don't need to tell your insurer. Most policies require notification of any accident, whether or not you intend to claim.
- Myth: The other driver's insurer will automatically contact you. You should report the accident yourself rather than assuming the other party will handle it.
- Myth: A verbal agreement at the scene about who was at fault is binding. Fault is properly determined by insurers, and where relevant the courts, based on the full evidence, not by an informal roadside conversation.
Real-World Examples
Example: Minor Rear-End Shunt
A driver involved in a low-speed rear-end collision at traffic lights exchanged details with the other driver, photographed both vehicles' damage and the road layout, and notified their insurer the same day, resulting in a straightforward non-fault claim once the other driver's insurer accepted liability.
Example: Driver Failed to Stop
A driver whose parked car was damaged by another vehicle that failed to stop noted a partial description and registration number from a witness, reported the incident to the police within 24 hours, and was later able to pursue a claim once the other driver was traced.
Example: Disputed Liability Resolved by Dashcam
Following a junction collision where both drivers gave conflicting accounts of who had right of way, one driver's dashcam footage clearly showed the sequence of events, allowing the claim to be resolved without a prolonged dispute between insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call the police after every car accident?
No. You only need to call the police at the time if someone is injured, the road is blocked, a driver appears unfit to drive (for example through drink or drugs), or you cannot exchange details with the other driver at the scene. If you don't exchange details at the scene, you must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any case, within 24 hours.
What details am I legally required to exchange after an accident?
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, if a collision causes damage or injury to another person, vehicle, animal or certain property, you must give your name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address if different, and the vehicle's registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds for requesting them.
What happens if I don't report an accident within 24 hours?
Failing to stop at the scene or failing to report a notifiable accident to the police within 24 hours are both criminal offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988, and can result in penalty points, a fine, and in serious cases disqualification or imprisonment.
How long do I have to tell my insurer about an accident?
Most UK motor insurance policies require you to notify your insurer as soon as reasonably possible after any accident, even a minor one and even if you don't intend to claim, since the exact time limit and consequences of late notification vary by insurer and are set out in your policy wording.
Should I admit fault at the scene of an accident?
It's generally best not to admit fault or apologise in a way that could be interpreted as accepting liability at the scene, since fault is a legal and insurance determination that should be assessed properly using the full evidence, not decided in the immediate aftermath.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
If you're involved in a collision with an uninsured or untraced driver, you may be able to claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau, a scheme that compensates victims of accidents caused by uninsured and untraced drivers in the UK.
Do I need photos if I'm not planning to claim?
It's still worth taking photos and noting details even if you don't plan to claim immediately, since the other party's version of events, hidden damage, or injuries that emerge later can all change the situation, and evidence gathered at the time is far stronger than evidence gathered afterwards.
References and Editorial Standards
This guide is reviewed regularly by the ShopTera Editorial Team and reflects the general legal duties set out in the Road Traffic Act 1988 (in particular section 170) and the Highway Code (in particular rule 286) regarding stopping, exchanging details and reporting road traffic accidents in the UK, together with general principles of motor insurance claims handling. Insurer-specific notification time limits, policy conditions and claims procedures vary, so always check your own policy documents and contact your insurer directly for guidance specific to your circumstances. This guide is intended for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice; if you're involved in a serious accident or a dispute over liability, consider seeking independent legal advice.
| Version | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 21 August 2026 | Initial publication |
Conclusion
Knowing what to do after a car accident, safety first, then your legal duties to stop and exchange details, then evidence, then reporting, puts you in a far stronger position, both practically and in terms of any insurance or legal claim that follows. While every accident is different, following this sequence gives you the best chance of a smooth claims process and protects you from the legal risks of failing to stop or report a notifiable accident. Keep this guide bookmarked, or print a short version for your glovebox, so you have it to hand if you're ever unlucky enough to need it.