What to do after a car accident?

You’ll likely be in a state of shock straight after a car accident, and fussing around gathering details will probably be the last thing on your mind.

But if you’re able to, noting some of the key bits of information mentioned below can be very useful if you decide to make a personal injury claim later on.

When you speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor, they’ll need to bring together all the facts of your accident so that they can prove it was somebody else’s fault and get you the full amount of compensation you need for your injury and recovery. Any evidence you can get at the scene can help them do this.

For free advice or to find out whether you could make a case, you can speak to a trained legal adviser for free on 0800 234 6438 or fill out the online form for a callback. They’ll never pressure you to take the next steps but can answer your questions and help you decide how to move forward.

We know that being involved in a car accident can be very traumatic, and this can often make it difficult to remember exactly what happened and who was involved after time has passed.

Because of this, it’s best to make some notes while you’re at the scene of the accident so that your solicitor can get a clearer picture of what happened when putting together your case.

If you can do so, we recommend gathering the information below:

• Names, contact information and insurance details of the other people and cars involved in the accident. You should also take down each car registration number as this will make it possible for you to trace the driver if needed (for example, if they give you fake information).
• Make a note of the names and numbers of anyone who witnessed the accident. Your solicitor might contact them later to get an unbiased view of what happened.
• Write down a detailed account of what happened. This could include photos of the crash scene or even a simple sketch to help you remember the position of the cars and their direction of travel.

You need to pull over if you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident, even if it wasn’t your fault. It’s a legal requirement for you to stop if any of the following have happened:

• People have been injured.
• An animal has been hit.
• Someone else’s property has been damaged.

Most people feel the need to apologise after a road accident, especially if they think it was their fault – but the court may see it differently. Because of this, it’s best not to apologise immediately, as this could be an admission of guilt and affect your compensation claim.

Unless you were unharmed in the accident, seeing a doctor or going to A&E as soon as possible is important. It’s better to be safe than sorry, as you may have been injured without realising it straight away.

Conditions such as whiplash can take hours or even days to become apparent, and injuries such as fractures and internal bleeding may need an in-depth examination to be spotted.

In the time following your accident, you should also keep receipts for any expenses caused by your injuries and note any earnings lost through time spent off work. With these in mind, your compensation will be worked out so you’re not left out of pocket.

In most cases, you won’t need to report a minor car crash after an accident, but it depends on numerous factors, including:

• Injuries Sustained: Even if you or the other driver has minor injuries, it’s best to contact the police to advise on the next steps. For example, they might need to involve the police or fire brigade.
• Illegal Activity: If any drivers involved seem to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you should contact the police immediately. You should also take action if the driver caused the collision deliberately.
• Blockages: A road traffic accident might sometimes block the road. Police officers must clear the accident scene and protect other road users.
• Hit and Runs: These types of accidents are more common than they should be, as some drivers will leave the scene to avoid getting into trouble. Legal authorities need to know about hit-and-runs so they can trace the driver.
• Failure to Cooperate: If the other driver refuses to provide their contact details or insurance company information, you have every right to inform the police. They might be driving without car insurance or be uncooperative in general.

Being stuck on the motorway hard shoulder is a terrifying experience, but knowing what to do can save your life and keep other road users safe. Here are the most important steps to follow:

1. Stop near an emergency telephone. They have a bright orange colour and help authorities identify where you are.
2. Turn your hazard lights on and ensure they’re flashing, which will alert other road users.
3. Never leave the car from the right side, as it could cause severe injuries. Use the left side to ensure your safety.
4. Remove all passengers and find a safe place away from the motorway.
5. In most cases, you should leave pets in the car and ensure they can’t get out. If you want to remove your pet, ensure it’s secured on a lead.

You should report the accident to your car insurance company as soon as possible, with many specifying a time limit of 24 hours. Of course, if you have severe injuries and can’t file a report, the insurance provider will understand.

However, it’s best to look at the policy and read its terms so you understand any obligations.

The first step is to consider your safety and ensure the safety of anyone involved in the accident. You should gather evidence for your insurance company, including photos of the scene, dash cam footage, and details about what caused the incident.

If anyone suffered injuries but you didn’t call the authorities, notify the police within 24 hours using the 101 number. Always make sure you follow all instructions given by your insurance provider and the police—it will help when you make a car insurance claim.

Hit-and-run accidents usually occur when the driver deliberately leaves the scene. In some cases, it might be because they don’t want to swap insurance information, but being under the influence of drugs and alcohol or causing a severe injury are also reasons for hit-and-runs.

Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident will incur penalty points on their driver’s license and a maximum prison term of six months. The punishment could be more severe for incidents that cause severe injuries or fatalities.

While you should always call the police, they might be unable to trace the driver. However, you can still make a claim for compensation through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).

The bureau provides compensation for people and vehicles involved in a car accident that fall under the following categories:

• Drivers that fail to stop or don’t exchange details
• The DVLA couldn’t trace the driver, or they were uninsured
• You’re a victim of vehicle-associated terrorism
• The offending vehicle registration number comes from a foreign country

If you’ve been injured in a road accident which wasn’t your fault, you’ll want to deal with the immediate aftermath first. However, if you suffer injuries that mean you can’t work, a solicitor may be able to help you make a car accident compensation claim to cover any financial losses.

Although the claims process might seem stressful, a specialist solicitor can do most of the work on your behalf. This means you can get the money you need to move on without the pressure of being swamped with legal paperwork and complicated terms.

When working out your compensation, your solicitor will consider all the effects of your road accident. As well as your lost earnings, this will also include any transport costs you’ve had to pay for while your car’s being repaired or replaced.

It will also help cover any social events or hobbies you’ve missed out on and the effect on your mental wellbeing.

To find out whether you could claim, you can reach a legal adviser for a free no-obligation consultation on 0800 234 6438.