A car accident is stressful and disorientating, even a minor one. Knowing the right steps to take protects your safety, keeps you on the right side of the law, and makes any insurance claim far smoother. Keep this checklist handy — and if you're dealing with an accident right now, work through it calmly, one step at a time.
1. Stop and check for injuries
By law in the UK, you must stop if you're involved in an accident, no matter how minor. Switch off your engine, put on your hazard lights, and check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, or the road is blocked, call 999 immediately. Don't move seriously injured people unless they're in immediate danger.
2. Make the scene safe
If it's safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic and turn on your hazard warning lights. If you have a warning triangle and you're on an ordinary road (not a motorway), place it well behind the scene to alert other drivers. Keep yourself and others away from moving traffic.
3. Call the police if needed
You should report the accident to the police if the road is blocked, if another driver leaves without giving details, if you suspect someone was driving under the influence, or if you think the incident was deliberate. In England, Scotland and Wales, if you don't exchange details at the scene you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours.
4. Exchange details
By law you must give your name, address and vehicle registration to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask — typically the other driver. Collect the same from them: name, address, phone number, vehicle make, model and registration, and their insurance details. If the driver isn't the owner of the vehicle, get the owner's details too. Stay polite and factual, and avoid admitting fault at the scene, even if you think you were responsible.
Information to exchange:
- Name and address of all drivers involved
- Vehicle registration number
- Make, model and colour of vehicle
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Contact phone number
5. Gather evidence
Your phone is your best tool here. Take photos of all vehicles involved, the damage, the road layout, any skid marks, road signs, and the overall scene from a few angles. Note the date, time, weather and lighting conditions. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact details. If any vehicle has a dashcam, save the footage as soon as possible so it isn't overwritten.
6. Don't drive a damaged or unsafe vehicle
After an accident it can be tempting to just drive off, but a damaged car may be unsafe or even illegal to drive. Leaking fluids, damaged tyres or wheels, a cracked windscreen, or bodywork rubbing against a tyre can all make driving dangerous. If there's any doubt, don't risk it — call a vehicle recovery service to move the car safely.
7. Arrange accident recovery
If your vehicle can't be driven, you'll need it recovered. A professional accident recovery team will load your car safely and transport it to a garage, bodyshop, your home, or wherever you need it to go. At PBK Recovery we provide 24/7 accident recovery across Northampton, Coventry, Leicester and the surrounding areas, so you're never stranded after a collision.
8. Report it to your insurer
Contact your insurance company as soon as you can, even if you don't intend to make a claim — most policies require you to report any accident promptly. Give them the facts and the evidence you gathered. Avoid speculating about fault; simply describe what happened.
What to keep in your car for emergencies
Being prepared makes a huge difference. Keep a charged phone or power bank, a high-visibility vest, a torch, a warning triangle, a pen and paper (or a notes app), and a small first-aid kit. A dashcam is also one of the best investments you can make — it provides clear, impartial evidence if there's ever a dispute.