What to do after a minor car accident UK?

Car accident can be fatal and sometimes deadly. Unfortunately, if you ever involved in such matters just follow some quick steps to deal with it.

Quick Steps

STEP 1 . STOP THE VEHICHLE – First thing you need to do if you’r ever involved in a car accident is to stop your vehichel in safe zone (if its movable). It can be dangerous to stop your car in the middle of a road, it can put other drivers lives in threat.

STEP 2 . TURN ON HAZARD LIGHTS – After making sure your engine turned off immediately turn your hazard lights on to alert other drivers to your presence. Under the Road Traffic Act it is an offence failing to turn on hazard lights.

STEP 3 . CHECK FOR ANY INJURIES (BOTH YOU AND ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT) – After the initial shock is passed, try to stay as calm as possible. It will be hard to stay calm in situations like this, but its nesessary for you to stay calm. Look for any injuries to you or any party involvd in the accident and dont try to push anything suck. It can make things even worse.

STEP 4 . CALL FOR EMMERGENCY SUPPORT (999) – To provide safety, medical care or to protect the scene call for emmergency support/helpline. If the accident doesnt require to call emmergency support the best course of action is to notify your local police station within 24 hours.

STEP 5 . COLLECT EVIDENCE (PHOTOGRAPS/VIDEOS/OR ANYTHING THAT YOU THINK YOU MIGHT NEED) – It is important to collect informationg after an accident. Such as,

1. Vehicles details of both party – Try to collect the information on involved vehicles like number plates or registration number and any related info.
2. Time and date of the accident – Its nessesary to report an accidnet with actual time, date and exact location where the accident occured.
3. Photos of involved vehicles – Take pictures of any vehicles that is involved. Also the surrounding areas.
4. CCTV cameras or dashcams – Look any CCTV cameras in that area or Dashcams that recorded the incident. It would be very helpful for you to report the accident.

What details to exchange in car accident UK

After the accident try to stay as calm as possible and when the intial shok is passed try to collect these informations. you will be needing these information.

Involved Driver’s full name
address (Work/Home)
Contact number(s)
Insurance company
Involved Vehicle registration number
Involved Vehicle’s registered owners details (if the driver is not the vehicle owner)

Also make sure you get the information from your passenger (if you hve any) and the witness. It can assist you greatly in arguing that the other driver is at fault for the accident if the images show the position of both vehicles following the accident. Because when you left the scene these information will help you to the success of your case.

Do you have to report a minor car accident to police uk?

No matter how minor or major the incident was it is the legal requirement to inform the police within 24 hours of an accident happening. They will assist you with a case reference number assigned to the accident. The law is that you must exchange insurance information for all collisions, and that the police must be called for all collisions involving injury to a person. 

The UK’s emergency services hotline number is 999 which is dialled for any immediate emergency requiring the police, fire department, or ambulance services.

The UK’s Road Traffic Act 1988 regulates driving licences, traffic offences, motor vehicle insurance, vehicle registration and licensing, road traffic regulation, penalties and enforcement, and liability and compensation.

The Act sets fines, penalty points, driving disqualifications, and imprisonment for traffic offences. the Act covers road traffic incidents, including personal injury claims, insurance coverage, and the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which compensates uninsured or untraced drivers.

Road accident statistics UK

The Statistics says in 2023 there were 1,624 fatalities, a decrease of 5% compared to 2022. There were 29,711 serious injuries and a total of 132,977 casualties of all severities, which also reflects a 2% decline from the previous year. Road deaths have increased by 10% since 2021, close to pre-pandemic levels and serious injuries are up by 8% since 2021.

Claim for insurance after a car accident

“Third-Party Insurance” is the legally minimum rquired car insurance in the UK that you need . This means that if you cause an accident that damages or injures another person, vehicle, animal, or property, you will be covered. Third-party insurance protects road users from financial harm.

The Act 1988 covers road traffic incidents like personal injury claims, insurance coverage etc.

So what informations you need for claiming a car insurance in UK.

1. Read the insurance policy – You will find all the nesessary documents or information needed to claim the insurance in the policy. Read the policy and understand and collect any info or documents that you need.

2. Document the accident scene – Take pictures showing the damage to the vehicle and the plate number.

3. Notify the insurer – while collecting all the nesessary info and documents call the insurer. Normally an agent from insuranse company will investigate the case of yours on their own way. After that the insurer will provide a list of accredited repair shops for immediate repair.

4. Submit the required documents – There is a need to submit the required documents in settling the claim. Submit as soon as possible to start processing the insuranse claim. Try to avoid delays in the car insurance claim. Its best to inform them right away or with in 24 hours.

5. Letter of Authorization and Repair – After submitting all the documents that you required for the claim. The insurer will issues a Letter of Authorization (LOA). The issuance of LOA entails that the car repair shop commences to repair the vehicle.