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Car accidents can be very stressful, whether it’s a collision with another road user or reversing into your garage. If you’ve never been in an accident before, you may not have given much thought to what you’re actually supposed to do. Unfortunately, accidents are pretty common so it’s important to be prepared and understand the steps you’ll need to take if you’re in a minor accident.
What to do immediately after a car accident?
1. Stop
The first thing you should do is stop, no matter how minor the accident may appear. Failing to stop is actually an offence under the Road Traffic Act.
Make sure all drivers and passengers (including pets) are out of the vehicle. Switch off the engine and turn on your hazard lights. If the car is driveable and it’s safe to do so, move off the main road and out the way of any oncoming traffic.
2. Check for injuries
Take a look around the scene of the accident. Check all your passengers for injuries and if there are any other vehicles involved, find out if they’re alright too. If anybody is in pain or in need of assistance, call for an ambulance.
3. Call Emergency Services
If you call for an ambulance you should also call for the police. If no one is injured, you may still need to call the police.
You should also call the police if:
- The crash is severe
- You believe you have been a victim of a “crash-for-cash” scam
- If a vehicle is blocking the road and it’s unsafe to move it
- You suspect the other driver has no insurance
- You suspect the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- The driver leaves the scene without giving you any details
How long do you have to report a car accident to the police?
If police officers are required, make sure you call the police within 24 hours. If you don’t report within this time period you may be given a fine, points on your license or even in some cases be disqualified from driving.
Report a car accident to the police online
If you’re not in an emergency situation, there’s no need to ring 999. You can report a car accident online through the MET police website.
4. Collect the Details
Make a note of the time, location and circumstances of the accident, and of any passengers travelling in the other vehicles including details like their age. Take photographic evidence of the scene if possible, including any damage to cars and property, road markings and signs. Also, make sure you gather the details of any witnesses or emergency services at the scene. If anyone else is involved, once safe to do so, you’ll need to go and get the details of other parties involved.
What details should you collect in a car accident?
You’ll need the following details for all drivers or property owners involved:
- Full name
- Contact telephone numbers
- Address
- Car registration, make and model
- Insurance details including their policy number
What to do if you’re in a minor accident with no damage?
You may think there is no damage, but it’s often easy to miss things in the moment. There may be minor damage that’s gone unnoticed or even injuries that you don’t get any symptoms for until later. If you don’t report or swap details with the other driver, you won’t be able to make a claim. So we’d always suggest reporting even if it’s a minor accident with no damage, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
How long do I have to report a car accident to my insurance company?
You should get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the incident, even if you don’t plan on making a claim. As a general rule you should always report to your insurance within 24 hours.
What happens if you’re in a car accident that wasn’t your fault?
If you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, your insurance provider will get in touch with the insurance company of the person who was at fault and work with them to resolve any claims. You may still have to pay the car insurance excess on your own insurance initially, but this will usually be refunded once the claim has been resolved with the insurance company of the person at fault
How do I make a claim with Veygo?
Your safety is the most important concern, so don’t email us until it’s safe to do so. If possible, message us from the scene of the accident. We understand that this is not always possible, especially for more serious accidents. We ask that if it’s not possible to contact us on the same day that the accident is reported within 48 hours.
To report an incident and register a new claim, please send us an email at contact@veygo.com with your policy number, date of birth and post code and we’ll take care of it. If your car isn’t driveable, we’ll be able to recover it any hour of the day, but our opening hours are:
Monday – Friday: 8.30am-5pm
Saturday: 8am – 2pm
Sunday: Closed
If you need to report an accident or require recovery during our opening hours call 0333 016 5112. If you need help outside our opening hours, call recovery service on 0344 243 8784 who will ask for your policy number.
What happens when I report a car accident?
When you message us to report the accident we will need to take as much information as possible about the incident and the details of all parties involved. This is why you should always gather as much information as possible at the time. Based on the information provided we can discuss the options available to you.
What happens after I’ve registered a claim?
When you get in touch with us to report the incident, you’ll be assigned a dedicated claims handler. We understand that any type of car accident, even small bumps, can be stressful and confusing, especially if it’s your first time. The person you speak to will be there to guide you through the process of making a claim and answer any questions you may have.
Temporary car insurance
Our temporary car insurance is fully comprehensive, so if you’re in an accident, both you and the person/s in the accident will be covered. You can borrow a car or insure your own from 1 hour to 60 days and be on the road in minutes.
