No matter how carefully you drive, accidents can still happen.
It’s important to always tell your insurer as soon as possible if you’ve been involved in an incident. Even if it’s a minor bump without any damage, keeping us informed means we can help if the other driver decides to claim against you later.
Read on and learn how to stay calm and do the right thing after a crash.
1. First steps
In the immediate moments after a crash, the first thing to do is make sure that no one is hurt. If they are, then ring the emergency services immediately to get help. You may well be in shock, so try to take a moment, take some deep breaths and get your head around what's just happened.
If your car is still moving after a collision, you’ll need to pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so. Remember, it’s a legal requirement to stop if a vehicle or any other property has been damaged.
If your car comes to a stop in a location that disrupts other road users, you should switch on the hazard lights, turn off the engine and move anyone who isn’t injured to a safe place away from the vehicle. Then, contact the police.
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with how best to respond to an incident before it happens. Knowing what to do can help you stay calm and avoid panic. For more information, follow the guidance in The Highway Code.
2. The other driver
Once you know everyone is ok, your next step is to swap insurance details with the other drivers involved. You may find that they aren't cooperating, or they’re trying to say you’re responsible for what happened. Don't be pressured into taking the blame. Wherever the fault may lie, you should never admit liability – that's something for your insurer or even the police to work out.
If the other driver approaches you with money and says there's no need for the insurance people to get involved, you should refuse them.
It's also worth being aware of anything that strikes you as unusual about what happened. Had the other driver been holding a mobile just before the accident? Can you smell alcohol on their breath? Be discreet, don't confront them, but do tell the police when they arrive.
If the other driver fails to stop or leaves the scene without giving their details, they’re breaking the law. Contact the police and let them know.
If possible, try to note the driver's number plate as well as the car's colour, make, and model. Any other details, such as which direction the vehicle was headed and the time and location of the accident, can also be helpful. This is where having access to a dash cam can be handy.
But don’t be a hero. Your safety is a priority, so don’t chase after the fleeing driver or attempt to stop them. Just make a note of as much detail as you can and call the police as soon as possible.
3. Exchanging details
According to Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act, you’re legally required to stop and exchange details after a car accident in which a person has been injured, or damage has been caused to another vehicle or trailer, an animal, or property such as fences, walls or buildings.
It makes sense to exchange as many details as possible. You must exchange your car registration number, name and address, and details of the registered keeper if different from the driver. We also recommend that you ask for their phone number. It may also be helpful to get names and contact details from any passengers or passers-by.
Finally, make sure you take down the other driver's registration number in case they've given you a fake name – the police may be able to trace the owner with the car’s information.
If you've had an accident in which no one else is involved, such as hitting a wall, fence, or parked car, you should still report the incident to the police and your insurers as soon as possible.
4. Gathering evidence
The police are the experts, but what if it's a minor crash and they're not needed? Time to play detective. While making sure you're safe, make a detailed sketch of the scene and take photos using your phone. If you have it, dash cam footage can also be useful.
Note the exact location of the vehicles and any damage, the road layout, street names, and the colour, make, and number plate for each of the cars involved in the accident.
If there are witnesses, get their details, too.
At the time, things may look straightforward, but you could get a nasty surprise further down the line if the other person involved changes their account of what happened and who was in the wrong.
5. Report the accident to your insurance company
Regardless of who was to blame, and even if you don't want to make a claim, you need to let your insurer know about the accident. You risk invalidating your insurance if you don't.
What's more, the other driver could make a claim against you, so let your insurer know your side of the story first.
Finally, what if you hit a parked car?
If you hit a parked vehicle and can’t leave your details on the windscreen, call 101 to report the incident. If you decide not to, and someone else reports you to the police, you could be charged with failing to stop after an accident.
Need to make a claim?
If you're a Churchill car insurance policyholder, you can start a claim or report an incident by logging in to your online account or using the Churchill App.
