What to Do After a Car Accident
A car accident can leave you shaken, sore, and unsure what to do next.
Even if the collision seems minor, it can take a moment to gather yourself. You may be dealing with shock, pain, damage to your vehicle, calls from insurers, or pressure from the other driver.
Knowing what to do after a car accident can help you stay safe, protect your position, and avoid making decisions before you have had time to think clearly.
This guide explains what to do following a car accident in England and Wales.
Stop safely and check for injuries
If you are involved in a road traffic accident that causes injury or damage, you must stop. This is a legal requirement under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Once it is safe to do so:
- Stop your vehicle
- Switch off the engine
- Turn on your hazard lights
- Check yourself and any passengers for injuries
- Move to a safe place if you can
If anyone is seriously injured, the road is blocked, or there is immediate danger, call 999.
It is normal to feel shaken after an accident. Take a moment if you need to. Safety comes first.
Exchange details if another person is involved
If another driver, property owner, or person is involved, you should exchange the necessary details where required.
You should provide:
- Your name and address
- The name and address of the vehicle owner, if different
- The vehicle registration number
- Insurance details, if requested
It can also be helpful to exchange phone numbers, although you should still make sure the legally required details are recorded properly.
Try to stay calm and keep the conversation factual. Avoid arguing at the roadside and avoid accepting blame before the circumstances have been properly looked at.
Know when to report the accident to the police
You do not need to report each minor car accident to the police.
You may need to report the accident if:
- You were unable to exchange details at the scene
- Someone was injured
- The other driver left without providing details
- You suspect drink driving, drug driving, dangerous driving, or another offence
If you have not provided your name and address at the scene when required, the accident must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours.
If you are unsure, it is sensible to check what is required rather than guessing.
Gather evidence if it is safe to do so
Once everyone is safe, try to collect evidence before leaving the scene.
Useful evidence may include:
- Photos of the vehicles
- Photos of the road layout
- Photos of any visible damage
- The exact location
- Registration numbers
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Dashcam footage
- Weather and road conditions
You do not need to turn the scene into an investigation. The aim is to keep a clear record of what happened while the details are fresh.
This can be useful later if the other driver gives a different account or the insurer disputes what happened.
Seek medical attention if you are injured
Some injuries are obvious straight away. Others become clearer later, once the shock has worn off.
If you are in pain, feel unwell, or notice symptoms after the accident, seek medical advice. This is important for your health and can also create a clear medical record if you later make a personal injury claim.
Common symptoms after a car accident can include:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Dizziness
- Pain that worsens over the next few days
Do not ignore symptoms because the accident seemed minor at the time. If something does not feel right, get checked.
Tell your insurer
You should tell your insurer about the accident, even if you do not plan to make a claim through your own policy.
Your policy is likely to require you to report accidents within a certain period. Check your policy wording and follow the process carefully.
When speaking to your insurer, keep a note of:
- Who you spoke to
- When the conversation took place
- What was discussed
- Any claim reference number
Give clear factual information. If you are unsure about something, say so rather than guessing.
Know whether the whiplash rules apply
If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury in a road traffic accident in England or Wales, special rules may apply.
The Ministry of Justice introduced a fixed tariff system for road traffic accident related whiplash injuries lasting up to two years. A revised tariff applies to accidents occurring on or after 31 May 2025.
Low-value road traffic accident injury claims may also fall within the Official Injury Claim process. GOV.UK explains that the service applies to road traffic accident claims valued at less than £5,000, and that you can instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf.
This can be difficult to navigate if you are injured, dealing with your insurer, and trying to get back to normal at the same time.
If you are unsure which process applies, getting advice early can help you understand your options.
Personal injury claims after a car accident
If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury claim.
This could include injuries such as whiplash, neck pain, back pain, shoulder injuries, broken bones, or symptoms that develop in the days after the collision. A claim may also include financial losses linked to the accident, such as lost earnings, treatment costs, travel expenses, or care needs.
For most personal injury claims in England and Wales, the usual time limit is three years from the date of the accident or the date you first knew you had suffered an injury linked to someone else’s fault. There are exceptions, so it is sensible to take advice early if you are unsure.
At Harry Suleman Solicitors, we help people understand whether they may have a claim, what evidence is needed, and how the process is likely to work.
If you are unsure whether your injury is serious enough to claim, speak to Harry. A short conversation can give you a clearer view of where you stand.
Be careful with early settlement offers
After a car accident, you may be contacted by an insurer or another party with a settlement offer.
It can be tempting to accept an offer quickly, especially if you want the matter over with. The difficulty is that some injuries take time to settle, and the full impact may not be clear straight away.
If you accept an offer before medical evidence is complete, the settlement may not properly reflect your injury, recovery time, lost earnings, treatment costs, or other losses linked to the accident.
Once a claim is settled, it can be difficult to reopen it later.
Before accepting an early offer, it is sensible to take advice so you understand whether the offer reflects your position properly.
What if no other driver was involved?
Not every car accident involves another driver. You may have hit a wall, barrier, parked vehicle, road sign, animal, pothole, or another object.
Even if no other driver is involved, you should still take the situation seriously. You may need to:
- Stop safely and check for injuries
- Call 999 if anyone is seriously injured, in danger, or the road is blocked
- Report the accident if you have damaged property and cannot provide your details to the owner
- Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, road layout, and anything that may have contributed to the accident
- Tell your insurer, as your policy is likely to require it
- Seek medical advice if you are injured or symptoms develop
A personal injury claim may still be possible in some single-vehicle accident cases, depending on what caused the accident. This could include a road defect, poor maintenance, an uninsured or untraced driver causing you to take evasive action, or a vehicle fault.
These cases can be more complex, so it is sensible to get advice early if you are injured and unsure where responsibility may sit.
What to do following a car accident: a quick checklist
If you are involved in a car accident:
- Stop safely.
- Check for injuries.
- Call 999 if there is danger, serious injury, or a road blockage.
- Exchange names, addresses, registration numbers, and insurance details if another person is involved.
- Report the accident to the police if required.
- Take photos and gather witness details if it is safe.
- Seek medical advice if you are injured or symptoms develop.
- Tell your insurer.
- Keep records of expenses, losses, and correspondence.
- Speak to a solicitor if you are injured or unsure what to do next.
Taking the next step
A car accident can leave you with a lot to deal with at once. Pain, repairs, insurance calls, time off work, and uncertainty about what happens next can quickly become difficult to manage.
If you have been injured, getting clear advice early can help you understand whether you may have a personal injury claim and what steps to take next.
At Harry Suleman Solicitors, we support people injured in road traffic accidents with clear, practical advice from the start.
If you have been injured in a car accident, speak to Harry about making a personal injury claim.
