Cars account for nearly 70% of all vehicles involved in road collisions in Great Britain, with 101,525 collisions taking place in 2025 [1]. But these figures only include incidents where there is an injury. And not all collisions are reported, so the true number of car accidents on our road is likely to be much higher.
Knowing recommended car accident advice if you’re ever caught up in an accident can make the whole process easier to understand and less stressful. In this guide we explain what to do immediately after an accident, when to get the police involved, what type of evidence you should gather and whether to report the accident to your car insurance company.
Key takeaways
- Immediately after the accident, get somewhere safe.
- Photograph and document everything you can about the incident.
- Exchange details with other drivers involved.
- Don’t admit liability.
- Tell your insurer (and any accident management company you use) about the accident as soon as possible.
- Check through your insurance policy document.
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
The most important thing to do is keep yourself, your passengers and other road users safe.
- Stop your car as soon as it’s safe to do so.
- Turn off your engine and switch on your hazards.
- Check if anyone is injured. If they are, call 999 and ask for an ambulance and the police.
- Is the road blocked or is there debris on the road? If so, call the police.
- Assess your vehicle for damage. In the UK, if your car is damaged or someone is injured, you must legally exchange details with the other car drivers involved. This includes:
- Name and address
- Vehicle registration number
- Car owner’s details if different
- Insurance details.
If the required details are not exchanged/provided at the scene, the driver must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours. Even if there’s no obvious damage to you or your vehicle, it’s still a good idea to exchange details with the other driver in case damage becomes evident later on.
You should also call the police on 101 or use their online reporting system if you think the other driver is uninsured, they refuse to leave their details, you think they’re under the influence of drink or drugs, or they leave the scene of the accident.
What evidence should I gather after a car accident?
Photographic and written evidence of the accident scene can be a help to the police, insurers, accident management companies and solicitors if it’s needed during the car accident claims process. The easiest way to record the information is on your phone.
- Take clear photos of any damage to your car and any other cars involved.
- Make a note of everyone’s registration plates.
- Photograph the road conditions and any skid marks.
- Record the weather conditions at the time of the accident.
- Take overview photos of the whole scene.
- Save any dashcam or CCTV footage.
Also make a note of when and where the accident took place. Plus, if there were witnesses, take their name and contact details in case you need them in the future.
Should I admit liability if I think the accident was my fault?
The minutes after an accident can be confusing and disorientating. Taking legal responsibility for the accident at this stage may not be wise, as you cannot be sure that it was actually all your fault. If you accept full liability, then you’re also accepting that any resulting loss or damage is also your fault.
It’s best to leave these decisions to the experts who are used to assessing the outcome of an accident. There could be contributing factors such as the actions of other drivers or the state of the road that mean you’re not at full fault. Insurance companies will review all the evidence gathered at the scene before making a decision. They’ll then decide if liability is accepted, rejected or shared between drivers.
Liability can be split between drivers if it’s not clear that one person is to blame for the accident. For example, if there’s not enough evidence to show which driver caused the accident. Or if it transpires that both drivers were speeding for example.
Should I report the accident to my insurer?
Yes, even if you don't want to make a claim after a car accident, you should report the accident to your insurance company. Here's what to do.
Making a claim
If you make a claim on your car insurance, you’ll need to provide as many details as possible about the incident. Such as:
- Driver and vehicle information
- Date and location of accident
- Photos and witness information
- Police reference number if there is one.
You should also make the claim as soon as possible after the accident.
Not making a claim
Even if you’re not planning to claim on your car insurance, you should let your insurer know about the accident. Many policies have this written into the legal details, so check your policy document soon after your accident.
It’s possible that if other parties were involved, they could make a claim at a later date, so the insurer will need to be told then anyway.
If you’re not making a claim, you can record the accident as ‘notification only’ with your insurer. It’s also worth checking with them if this affects your no claims bonus.
How do I claim after a car accident?
You have a range of options following a car accident when you want to make a claim.
- Call your insurer and claim through them.
- Call the other driver’s insurer and claim through them.
- Call an accident management company to discuss your options.
Claiming through your own insurer
You’ll need to contact your insurer and provide all the evidence you gathered at the scene of the accident. Try to keep to the facts, rather than speculate about how the accident happened. Once they have all the details they need they can review your policy and decide what can be covered.
With comprehensive insurance, the insurer will usually pay for any repairs to your car even if the accident was your fault. In the UK £11.9 billion was spent on car insurance claims by insurers in 2025 [2] with the average claim in 2024 a huge £5,300 [3].
With third party insurance, they’ll only pay for repairs if the accident was another driver’s fault and they can claim the costs back from their insurer.
Regardless of whose fault it was, you may also need to pay your excess. This is the amount you agreed to pay towards any repairs when you set up your policy.
The damage to your car is assessed by the insurance company or an approved engineer and a decision is made whether to repair it or write it off. If the repairs are more expensive than the value of the car, it usually gets written off. Instead, you’ll receive the market value of the car, taking into account its age and mileage.
Repairs may need to be made by a garage approved by the insurer, depending on your policy. If your policy allows for it, you’ll get a replacement car to use while your car is being repaired.
During this time, both drivers’ insurance companies will be deciding who should accept liability for the accident. If you’re found to be at fault, then your insurance company will pay for all repairs to both your car and the other driver’s car. If they are at fault, their insurance company should cover all costs. You should also get your excess back if they are fully at fault. If liability for the accident is shared, then the two insurance companies come to an agreement about who pays what. You’re unlikely to get your excess back in this case.
When the finances have been agreed, the case closes.
Claiming through the other driver’s insurer
You should still let your insurer know about the accident even if you decide to claim through the other driver’s insurance.
Contact the other driver’s insurance company. You’ll need to provide evidence from the scene of the accident, and they’ll gather their own data too.
They’ll decide whether the accident was the fault of their customer or not. If they accept liability, the cost of repairs or the write-off cost will be paid directly from them. You may not need to pay an excess upfront, as you might with your own insurer. They will arrange for the repairs to be carried out and often provide a courtesy car as well.
If they dispute liability, your insurance company will need to be involved. They’ll take a look at all the evidence and decide if the liability should be shared. If liability is shared, the two insurers will decide how much each company pays out. You may have to pay your excess at this point, as your insurance company is now involved in the finances.
Claiming through an accident management company
Accident management companies, such as Claimsline, can explain your options and, where appropriate and eligible, arrange support through working partners such as a recovery company, repairer or hire company. Where liability is accepted or established, the hire company or repairer seeks the charges from the at-fault insurer. This can include arranging repairs and a replacement car if needed, and help with much of the paperwork. You may still need to notify your own insurer, depending on your policy terms. If you were injured, see Claimsline’s personal injury guidance.
Working partners such as a recovery company, repairer or hire company can sometimes identify additional losses that you may not consider. Where liability is accepted or established, the hire company or repairer seeks the charges from the at-fault insurer. This can be useful for complicated or disputed claims.
Some claims management companies charge by deducting a fee from any compensation recovered for the customer. For accident management, Claimsline is usually paid by the organisations it works with, for example through referral fees, rather than charging you directly. Claimsline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activities (FRN 831196).
As you’re not claiming through your insurance, you may not need to pay your excess upfront. This will depend on how you claim, eligibility, and whether liability is accepted or established.
What happens if my car needs recovery and repairs after an accident?
Check your car thoroughly after an accident and if it’s damaged, leaking fluids or showing any warning signs on the driver display unit, do not drive your car.
A recovery vehicle can be arranged by you directly, through your breakdown provider, your insurer, or an accident management company. They can take your car to a garage approved by your insurance company or accident management company for repairs. The RAC estimates that most recovery firms start with a flat fee of £25.00 and charge a fee per mile over 10 miles [4]. So, if you’re arranging your own recovery, be sure to keep track of costs.
The garage will assess the car and decide what repairs are needed. They provide a quote for the work to the insurance company who decides whether it’s worth repairing the car. If it is, the repairs can go ahead. If it's not, they may decide to write off the car. So instead of paying the repair bill, they will give you the market value of the car as it was just before the accident.
With comprehensive insurance and a no-fault accident, your insurer will pay for repairs and claim the money back from the other driver’s insurance company. When liability is split between the drivers, they claim back a percentage of the costs from the other driver’s insurance.
Can I get a replacement vehicle while mine is being repaired?
This usually depends on whether this benefit is included in your insurance cover or not. If it is, you may get access to a like-for-like vehicle so you can carry on with your daily life. Otherwise, the approved repairer may offer a small courtesy car while yours is in the garage.
If you claim through an accident management company, you may be able to request a replacement car if needed, depending on eligibility, liability and availability. With a no-fault accident, the car may be provided without you having to pay upfront, with the cost sought from the other driver’s insurer.
However, if a claim is disputed, you could find you may need to pay towards the car hire. This is because the car is provided through a credit-hire agreement and this agreement is made between you and the car hire company. So, if the car hire company can’t reclaim the money from the insurer of the other driver, you could become responsible for some or all charges. Check your credit-hire agreement for the details.
A checklist summary of what to do after a car accident
- Photograph and document everything you can about the accident.
- Exchange details with other drivers involved.
- Don’t admit liability.
- Tell your insurer about the accident as soon as possible.
- Read your car insurance policy document carefully so you know what you can claim for.
- Check your policy before arranging any repairs.
- Check the car hire or credit-hire agreement when getting a replacement car.
While Great Britain is one of the safest places to drive with only four road fatalities for every 1 billion miles travelled in 2025 [5], when you have an accident it’s unsettling and distressing. By familiarising yourself with what to do after an accident, you can take practical steps to keep yourself safe and get back on the road as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
When should I report an accident to the police?
If anyone is injured or if there is debris causing a hazard to other drivers, you should report the incident to the police. Also, if the other driver leaves the scene, refuses to exchange details or you suspect they have taken drink or drugs.
What happens if the other driver is uninsured?
You may be able to reclaim any costs for repairs and personal injury through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau [6]. If you have comprehensive cover, your insurer can do this for you. Take a note of the vehicle registration and report it to the police.
Why do I need to tell my insurer about an accident straightaway?
Most insurance policies state that you must tell the insurer about an accident as soon as reasonably possible. It’s also a good idea to provide evidence whilst it’s still clear in your mind and hasn't been lost or spoiled. An insurer could reject or limit your claim if the late notification makes it difficult to investigate the accident.
Can I choose which garage to use for repairs?
Check your policy before arranging any repairs. Some insurance companies will have a list of approved garages they want you to use.
What’s the difference between a courtesy car and a car hire replacement?
The main difference is cost. A courtesy car is usually offered free of charge (except fuel) by the garage doing the repairs on your car. A car hire replacement is usually paid by you and then reclaimed for you by your insurance company.
Is credit hire different to car hire?
Yes, the credit-hire company provides the car without you needing to pay any fee upfront. They will reclaim the costs of the hire from the at-fault driver’s insurance. If they can’t reclaim this money, you could become responsible for some or all hire charges in certain circumstances, depending on the agreement and recoverability. Check your agreement for the details. With the car-hire agreement, you pay upfront and the cost can be reclaimed from the at-fault driver’s insurers.
Sources
- Cars account for nearly 70% of all vehicles involved in road collisions in Great Britain, with 101,525 collisions taking place in 2025 - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-final-results-2025/rrcgb-2025-vehicles-involved (collision count: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/road-safety-open-data)
- In the UK £11.9 billion was spent on car insurance claims by insurers in 2025 - https://www.abi.org.uk/media-hub/news-post/119-billion-paid-out-in-2025-to-support-motorists-across-25-million-claims
- the average claim in 2024 a huge £5,300 - https://www.abi.org.uk/media-hub/news-post/motor-claims-hit-record-117-billion-in-2024
- The RAC estimates that most recovery firms start with a flat fee of £25.00 and charge a fee per mile over 10 miles - https://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/vehicle-recovery
- While Great Britain is one of the safest places to drive with only four road fatalities for every 1 billion miles travelled in 2025 - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-final-results-2025
- Motor Insurer’s Bureau - https://www.mib.org.uk/make-a-claim/
