Stay Calm. Here’s Exactly What to Do.
The first few minutes after an accident are chaotic. Having a mental checklist helps. Here’s the sequence that protects you legally, medically, and financially — in order of priority.
At the Scene (First 10 Minutes)
1. Stop — It’s the Law
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, you must stop if you’re involved in an accident where someone is injured, or damage is caused to another vehicle or property. Failing to stop is a criminal offence.
2. Check for Injuries
Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved. If anyone is injured, call 999 immediately. Don’t move anyone who appears seriously hurt unless they’re in immediate danger.
3. Make the Scene Safe
Switch on your hazard lights. If it’s safe and the vehicles are drivable, move them to the side of the road. If not, leave them where they are and move yourself to a safe place behind a barrier if possible.
4. Exchange Details (Legal Requirement)
You must give your name, address, and vehicle registration number to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask. If you can’t do this at the scene (e.g., you hit a parked car with no owner present), you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours.
Also collect:
- The other driver’s name, address, phone number, and insurance details
- The registration numbers of all vehicles involved
- Names and contact details of any witnesses
- The exact location (use your phone’s GPS or What3Words)
5. Gather Evidence (This Is Where a Dash Cam Pays for Itself)
Take photos of:
- All vehicles involved, from multiple angles
- The positions of the cars relative to the road
- Damage close-ups
- Skid marks, debris, road conditions
- The other driver’s licence and insurance documents
If you have a dash cam — and we recommend the Viofo A229 Pro for front+rear coverage or the A119 Mini 2 for front-only — save the footage immediately. Most cameras have a lock button that protects the current clip from being overwritten. The footage is objective, time-stamped evidence that no one can dispute.
Important: Don’t admit fault at the scene — even saying “I’m sorry” can be interpreted as an admission of liability by insurers. Stick to exchanging details and let the evidence (and your insurer) determine fault.
Within 24 Hours
6. Report to Police (If Required)
You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if:
- You didn’t exchange details at the scene
- Someone was injured
- You suspect the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- The other driver left the scene without stopping
Call 101 (non-emergency) or report online via your local force’s website.
7. Contact Your Insurer
Tell your insurer about the accident as soon as possible — even if you don’t intend to claim. Most policies require you to report all accidents, and failing to do so can invalidate your cover.
When you call, have ready:
- Your policy number
- The other driver’s details
- Photos of the damage
- Your dash cam footage (if you have it) — many insurers now accept uploads via their apps
Dash cam footage can be decisive. It shows exactly what happened, with no conflicting memories. This can mean the difference between a 50/50 split settlement and the other driver being found fully at fault — potentially saving you hundreds in excess and years of increased premiums.
In the Days After
8. Keep Records
Start a file with:
- All correspondence with your insurer (emails, letters, call notes)
- Receipts for any expenses (hire car, transport, medical costs)
- A written account of what happened while it’s fresh in your memory
- A copy of your dash cam footage saved in at least two places
9. Get Your Car Assessed
Your insurer will arrange an assessment. If the car is written off, they’ll offer a settlement based on market value — you can negotiate this if you have evidence the car was worth more (service history, recent work, low mileage).
How Dash Cam Footage Changes Everything
Without footage, an accident claim often comes down to two conflicting accounts. Insurers may settle 50/50 simply because there’s no way to determine fault — leaving both drivers with increased premiums.
With clear dash cam footage:
- Fault is established objectively — no “he said, she said”
- Claims are resolved faster (often weeks instead of months)
- You’re far less likely to be found at fault if you weren’t
- Hit-and-run drivers can be identified by their number plate
- Fraudulent claims (“crash for cash”) fall apart instantly
At £100-300 for a quality dash cam, it’s one of the cheapest insurance policies you’ll ever buy — and it only needs to work once to pay for itself many times over.