Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful and frightening experience. Whether it’s a minor bump or a more serious collision, knowing what to do next can help keep everyone safe and make dealing with insurance claims much easier.
If you’ve recently been involved in an accident, here’s a simple checklist to help you stay calm and handle the situation correctly.
For more advice on dealing with damaged vehicles, and accident-related guidance, visit our maintenance guidance hub.
1. Stop Safely and Switch Off Your Engine
The first thing you must do after a road traffic accident is stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Failing to stop after an accident in circumstances covered by UK road traffic law is an offence.
Switch off the engine, apply the handbrake and turn on your hazard warning lights if appropriate.
Before leaving your vehicle, assess your surroundings. Do not put yourself or anyone else in danger by standing in moving traffic.
If your vehicle can be moved safely and is obstructing the road, consider moving it to a safer location. However, do not attempt to move a vehicle if doing so could put anyone at risk.
If the accident happens on a motorway or high-speed road:
- If possible, move your vehicle to an emergency area or another place of relative safety.
- If it is safe to exit, leave by the side away from moving traffic and move behind a safety barrier.
- Never stand behind your vehicle or attempt repairs beside fast-moving traffic.
- If you cannot leave the vehicle safely, keep your seatbelt fastened, switch on your hazard lights and call 999 for assistance.
If another driver leaves the scene without stopping, record any details you can safely obtain and report the incident to the police.
2. Check for Injuries
Check yourself, your passengers and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries, but only approach others if it is safe to do so.
Some injuries, including whiplash and concussion, may not become immediately apparent. Even if everyone initially feels fine, pay attention to any symptoms that develop afterwards.
If someone is seriously injured:
- Call 999 immediately and request an ambulance.
- Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger.
- Follow the emergency operator’s instructions.
- If someone is unconscious or not breathing normally, tell the operator immediately so they can guide you through the appropriate first aid.
For less serious injuries, seek appropriate medical advice through NHS 111, your GP or an urgent treatment centre.
Remember that your safety and the safety of others must always come before assessing vehicle damage or exchanging insurance details.
3. Contact Emergency Services if Necessary
Not every road accident requires an emergency response, but knowing when to contact the police or ambulance service is important.
Call 999 immediately if:
- Someone is seriously injured or in immediate danger.
- A vehicle is on fire or there is another immediate threat to life.
- The collision has created a serious danger to other road users.
- You suspect a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs and poses an immediate risk.
- A driver has fled the scene and an urgent police response is needed.
When should you call 101 instead?
If there is no immediate danger but you need to report an incident to the police, you can call 101 or use your local police force’s online reporting service.
In England, Scotland and Wales, you must report a road accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within 24 hours if you are unable to provide the required details at the scene following an accident involving injury or damage covered by the reporting rules. Reporting obligations differ in Northern Ireland.
Important: Reporting an accident to your insurance company does not replace any legal obligation to report it to the police.
Always follow the instructions given by emergency services and avoid putting yourself or others at further risk.
4. Exchange Details with the Other Driver
After making sure everyone is safe, exchange details with the other driver and anyone else involved in the accident.
Under UK road traffic law, drivers involved in certain accidents must stop and provide the required information.
Make sure you collect:
- The driver’s full name and address.
- The vehicle registration number.
- The vehicle’s make, model and colour.
- Contact telephone number, if they are willing to provide one.
- Insurance company and policy details, where available.
- The registered keeper’s name and address if the driver does not own the vehicle.
If anyone has been injured, you may also be required to provide your insurance details to someone with reasonable grounds for requesting them.
What if the other driver refuses to provide their details?
Avoid confrontation. Record their registration number and vehicle description if it is safe to do so, and report the incident to the police.
Should you admit responsibility at the scene?
Remain calm, polite and cooperative, but avoid speculating about who caused the accident or making promises about compensation.
Explain what happened factually and allow the insurers to assess responsibility using the available evidence.
Remember: You should never leave the scene without complying with your legal obligations following an accident.
5. Look for Witnesses
Independent witnesses can be particularly valuable following a road accident, especially if the drivers involved disagree about what happened.
If someone witnessed the collision, politely ask whether they would be willing to provide their details.
Try to collect:
- Their full name.
- A contact telephone number or email address.
- A brief description of what they witnessed.
- Their location when the accident occurred.
Witnesses may be pedestrians, other motorists, cyclists or nearby residents who saw the incident.
What about dashcam footage or CCTV?
Check whether anyone nearby has dashcam footage of the collision. You may also notice CCTV cameras on nearby buildings or businesses.
If relevant footage may exist, make a note of the location and contact the owner promptly, as recordings may be automatically overwritten.
You may also find it useful to read up on whether or not you should get a dash cam, which can be really useful in the event of an accident.
Why are independent witnesses important?
An impartial account can help insurers establish how the accident occurred, particularly where there are conflicting versions of events.
However, never pressure witnesses into making statements or influence their recollection. Simply record their details, with their permission, and pass the information to your insurer.
Your priority should always be safety. Only gather witness information when it is safe to do so.
6. Take Photos of the Scene
Photographs can provide valuable evidence following a road accident, helping your insurer understand what happened and assess the damage.
However, only take photographs when it is safe to do so. Never stand in moving traffic or put yourself at risk to capture evidence.
What should you photograph?
- Vehicle damage: Take clear photographs of damage to your car and any other vehicles involved.
- Vehicle positions: If safe, photograph where the vehicles came to rest before they are moved.
- Registration numbers: Record the number plates of the vehicles involved.
- Road conditions: Capture relevant road markings, traffic signs, junctions and traffic lights.
- Debris and skid marks: Photograph any visible evidence that may help explain the collision.
- Surrounding area: Take wider photographs showing the road layout and relevant surroundings.
Additional evidence worth recording
Make a note of the date, time, location, weather conditions and visibility at the time of the accident.
If your vehicle has a dashcam, preserve the relevant footage as soon as possible to prevent it from being overwritten.
Keep the original photographs and recordings wherever possible, rather than editing them, so your insurer can review the evidence accurately.
Important: If the accident occurs on a motorway or another high-speed road, prioritise getting to safety. Do not walk onto live carriageways or return to dangerous areas to take photographs.
Once you’re somewhere safe, organise your evidence and provide the relevant information to your insurance company when reporting the incident.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
Once everyone is safe and you have gathered the relevant information, contact your car insurance company to report the accident.
You should notify your insurer even if:
- The accident appears minor.
- You do not intend to make an insurance claim.
- You believe the other driver was responsible.
- There is little or no visible damage to your vehicle.
Most insurance policies require you to report accidents, even when you are not making a claim. Check your policy documents for the relevant notification requirements and deadlines.
What information will your insurer need?
Be prepared to provide:
- The date, time and location of the accident.
- A factual description of what happened.
- Details of the other drivers and vehicles involved.
- Photographs of the damage and accident scene.
- Contact information for any independent witnesses.
- Relevant dashcam footage, if available.
- A police incident reference number, if applicable.
What happens after you report the accident?
Your insurer may arrange for your vehicle to be inspected, assess responsibility for the collision and explain the options available under your policy.
Depending on the circumstances and your level of cover, this could involve arranging repairs, dealing with a third-party claim or assessing whether your vehicle is beyond economical repair.
Will reporting an accident affect your insurance?
An accident may affect future premiums, even if you do not make a claim. The impact depends on factors including the circumstances of the incident, your claims history and your insurer’s assessment.
If another driver or their insurer contacts you about the accident, refer the matter to your own insurer rather than agreeing to payments or settlements without advice.
Keep copies of all correspondence, photographs and relevant documents until the matter has been resolved.
For more information on what the stats show about road traffic accidents, we’ve got the latest for you here.
What If Your Car Is Beyond Repair?
Following a serious road accident, your car may be too badly damaged to repair safely or economically.
Even if the vehicle looks repairable, the cost of replacement parts, labour and structural repairs could exceed its market value.
In these circumstances, your insurance company may declare the vehicle a total loss, commonly known as an insurance write-off.
What happens if your car is written off?
Your insurer will normally assess the vehicle’s pre-accident market value and determine whether repairs are economically viable.
If the vehicle is written off, it will usually be assigned a salvage category:
- Category A: The entire vehicle must be crushed and cannot be returned to the road.
- Category B: The body shell must be crushed, although certain usable parts may be salvaged.
- Category S: The vehicle has sustained structural damage but may be repaired and returned to the road if made roadworthy.
- Category N: The vehicle has sustained non-structural damage but may be repaired and returned to the road if made roadworthy.
Can you sell an accident-damaged car?
Depending on the extent of the damage, the vehicle’s insurance status and who legally owns the salvage, selling it may still be an option.
Some specialist buyers purchase accident-damaged or non-running vehicles for repair, parts or recycling.
However, if your insurer has already settled a total-loss claim and taken ownership of the vehicle, you cannot independently sell it.
Before arranging a sale, confirm the vehicle’s status with your insurer and disclose any known accident damage or write-off history to potential buyers.
Should you repair or sell your damaged car?
Consider the estimated repair costs, the vehicle’s pre-accident value, its safety and whether repairing it makes financial sense.
If the vehicle is no longer economical to repair, comparing offers from suitable specialist buyers may help you understand its remaining value.
Need to Sell an Accident-Damaged Car?
If your car has been damaged in an accident and repairing it is no longer worthwhile, you may still be able to sell it.
Depending on its condition, accident history and insurance status, specialist car buyers may be interested in purchasing the vehicle for repair, spare parts or recycling.
How can jamjar help?
At jamjar.com, we help motorists compare offers from car-buying companies across the UK, making it easier to explore their options without contacting multiple buyers individually.
If you’re considering selling an accident-damaged vehicle:
- Be honest about its condition. Explain the extent of the damage and disclose any known insurance write-off history.
- Confirm that you can legally sell it. If an insurance claim is ongoing, check whether the insurer has any ownership or salvage rights.
- Check whether the vehicle is roadworthy. Never drive a vehicle that is unsafe or unroadworthy.
- Compare your options. Depending on the vehicle and participating buyers’ requirements, you may be able to obtain an offer even if the car is damaged or no longer running.
Whether your car has suffered minor accident damage or is no longer economical to repair, understanding its potential resale value can help you decide what to do next.
Ready to explore your options?
Compare car-selling options with jamjar and see whether a suitable buyer is available for your vehicle.
Our comparison service helps you explore offers from participating car buyers, so you can make an informed decision about selling your car.