Collision Course

If you’re in a collision

‘Many people panic and rush about doing the wrong thing at the wrong time or do nothing at all,’ says Duncan Vernon, Road Safety Manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. ‘Some actions are legal requirements following an accident. Others, while not legal requirements, could save lives.’

1. Stop. By law you must do this if the collision causes injury or damage to any other person, animal, vehicle or property.
2. Switch off your engine and turn on your hazard lights. Avoid smoking in case there’s a fuel spill. ‘The most immediate danger at the scene of an accident is that there will be further collisions or that the vehicles involved will catch fire,’ says Vernon.
3. If someone is injured or the accident has blocked the road, call 999 immediately. Avoid moving an injured person unless they’re in danger from other vehicles or fire. Keep them warm and give first aid if you know what you are doing.
4. In the case of damage-only accidents, you’ll need to exchange details for insurance purposes. Get the driver’s name and address, vehicle owner’s name and address (if it’s different) and the registration numbers of all the cars involved in the accident. Drivers are legally obliged to give you this information.
5. If there are independent witnesses, get their details as well in case there’s a dispute later. Also record the names of any police officers attending the scene.
6. Make notes and diagrams while the incident is fresh in your mind. Take photos of the location and damage if possible. Record the precise location, weather conditions, road quality and lighting if you think they may be relevant.
7. Don’t apologise or be pressured into admitting liability if you don’t believe the accident was your fault. This may count against you later. Don’t get involved in arguments: contact your insurer and allow them to deal with the matter.
8. If there is an injury and the names of those involved are not exchanged, you must tell the police within 24 hours.
9. If you hit a dog or a farm animal you must tell the police, but not if you hit a wild animal or cat. If the animal needs veterinary attention call the RSPCA hotline on 0300 1234 999.

After an accident

If it’s serious, the police may need to keep your car as evidence. Otherwise, check that your car is roadworthy before you drive off. If it’s not, your insurance company should be able to get your car moved. Alternatively the police may arrange removal and storage (you may be able to reclaim the cost of this through your insurance.)

Make sure you tell your insurer about the accident as soon as you can. Failure to do so within the time set out in your policy may invalidate your cover, leaving you with a big bill to pay. Always inform your insurer about an accident – even if you don’t want to make a claim.

‘If the other party’s insurer accepts that their policyholder was responsible, they will pay for repairs to, or replacement of, your vehicle and reasonable additional expenses,’ says Malcolm Tarling, Media Relations Officer at the Association of British Insurers. ‘If the accident was your fault, tell your insurance company, who will then deal with any claim against you.’ The same applies to injuries either party may have sustained that need medical treatment.

If you and the other driver cannot agree who is to blame for the accident, and your insurers do not have enough evidence to determine responsibility, both companies may refuse to pay out for the other party. In these circumstances, providing you have fully comprehensive cover, your insurer will pay for your repairs but you’ll lose your no-claims bonus (unless you’ve paid extra to protect it). You can take legal action against the other driver but you’re unlikely to succeed unless you have evidence against them.

Did you know?

If you’re the victim of an accident caused by an uninsured or unidentified driver, you can claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (mib.org.uk).