How to deal with a car accident.

No matter how much care you take on the roads, other drivers may end up causing you to have an accident. If this happens follow our simple advice.

Try to stay calm. This is the most important piece of advice to follow.
• If there are witnesses take their details and give them yours.
• Make sure you take a note of the other driver’s insurance details and vehicle registration number.
• Provide them with your insurance details.
• Take photos of the accident at the scene on your mobile phone.
• Take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved in the accident.
• Insurance companies also accept a sketch of the scene. This will be helpful in verifying your side of the story.

If one or more of the following occurs:

• Somebody other than you is hurt or injured.
• The other person’s property has been damaged.
• An animal (that doesn’t belong to you), has been involved in the accident.
• If the presence of your vehicle was a factor.

You must then:

Stop and remain at the scene for a reasonable period.

Give a copy of your number plate, name and address to anyone involved in or effected by the accident.

Report the accident at a police station within 24 hours if you have not left your details with the other vehicle owner.

Your insurance certificate(s) will be required if anybody has been injured. If you don’t have them with you will have to take them to a police station within 7 days. In Northern Ireland the limit is only 5 days.

If you fail to comply with these rules you could be committing two separate offences: “Failing to stop” and “Failing to report”.

The penalties applied for these offences is severe. They can include a fine of up to £5000 and between 5-10 penalty points on your license or you could be disqualified from driving completely.