Read on to find out more tips for how to stay safe and on the right side of the law should the worst happen.
Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states that the driver of the motor vehicle must stop at the scene of an accident (this includes damage to a person, property or animal), regardless of the severity of the collision or who is to blame.
Failure to do so is punishable with a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment, you may also receive a fine.
Read more about Fixed Penalty Notices and how much you can get fined for driving offences.
If the car is still driveable, find a safe place to stop – pull into a layby if possible – before making sure the engine is switched off and hazard lights are turned on.
Unless their injuries prevent it, ensure all passengers and pets are removed from the vehicle and taken to a safe place.
If there are any injuries, call the emergency services immediately.
If you’re on a motorway, follow the same steps, but pull over to the hard shoulder if at all possible and according to the Highway Code you must leave any animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under proper control on the verge.
If there are any injuries, call the emergency services, ideally using a motorway SOS phone, as the authorities will be able to pinpoint your precise location.
You and your passengers should stand well away from the road, behind the crash barrier, using reflective jackets (especially at night). Wait for the emergency services to arrive.
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As a driver, you are obliged to give your name and address to anyone else involved in the accident.
You must also provide details of the vehicle’s owner (if different), along with the car’s registration number.
If nobody has been injured as a result of the accident, there’s no legal requirement to provide details of your car insurance, but it might speed up the claims process if you exchange insurance company details and policy numbers.
It's also worth getting their details, because it's possible that at the time of the accident you aren't aware of what injuries you may have suffered.
If another person has been injured, you must produce your certificate of insurance if anyone at the scene has reasonable grounds to request it.
The Road Traffic Act says that you must report the accident to a police constable or police station within 24 hours.
You can do this by calling 101, the police non-emergency number.
You should also provide details if damage has been caused to third party property or a parked car, even if there are no other people involved.
For example, leaving a note on a car’s windscreen is sufficient if you’re unable to locate the owner.
The police should be called if you are blocking the road or you feel you might have been the victim of a so-called ‘crash for cash’ scam.
In these incidents, fraudsters deliberately crash into the vehicle in front in order to submit false insurance claims.
You should also contact the police if there is a suspicion that drink or drugs have been involved.
Finally, make notes about the accident, which might assist with the insurance claim.
The time and date of the crash, a sketch of the incident, weather conditions, details of any witnesses – anything that might prove useful.
If it’s safe to do so, take photos using your mobile phone.
