Being involved in a road traffic accident can be both scary and upsetting.
Whether it’s a minor bump or a more serious collision, you may feel shaken, confused, or unsure what you should do at the scene of the accident.
However, the steps you take after a road traffic accident can make a significant difference to the outcome of your safety, wellbeing, and any future insurance or legal claims.
That’s why it’s so important that you know what steps you should take if you’re ever in a car accident.
Being informed will help you stay calm, protect your legal position, and make sure you have all the information and evidence you need if you decide to make a road traffic accident claim.
Here at Mark Reynolds Solicitors, we have helped countless people from Liverpool, Warrington, Runcorn, and the surrounding areas to successfully claim compensation for all types of road traffic accidents, including whiplash claims and accidents involving bicycles and motorcycles.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll provide clear and practical advice on what steps you should take both at the scene of the accident and after the event to protect your legal position.
What to do after a car accident UK (step-by-step)
The moments after a road traffic accident can feel chaotic, but it’s important to stay calm.
We’ve created a step-by-step guide that will help you to keep everyone involved safe and gather the information needed to make a road traffic accident claim.
Step 1: Pull over and stop
In the UK, you’re legally required to pull over and stop if you are involved in a collision or any other type of road traffic accident.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, switch off your engine, and turn on your hazard lights to warn other road users of the obstruction.
Step 2: Make sure everyone is safe and seek medical help if needed
Once you have stopped safely, you should check that everyone is ok.
This includes yourself, your passengers, people in other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and any animals involved in the accident.
If anyone is seriously injured, call 999 and ask for an ambulance immediately.
Step 3: Don’t admit or place blame
Being involved in a road traffic accident is stressful and upsetting, and emotions are likely to be running high.
You should avoid discussing who is to blame for the accident and instead keep conversations calm, polite and factual.
Avoid apologising or admitting fault, even if you believe you may have caused the accident.
It’s up to your insurer or solicitor to determine who is liable for the accident, not you.
Step 4: Exchange details with any other drivers involved
To make a road traffic accident claim, you’ll need the insurance details for any other drivers involved in the accident.
You should exchange names, telephone numbers, vehicle registration numbers, and addresses with everyone involved.
Drivers are required by law to share these details, and refusing to do so is a crime.
Step 5: Take photos and make notes
The more evidence you can gather, the stronger your compensation case will be.
Useful evidence that you can gather at the scene of a road traffic accident includes:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Photos of any vehicle damage
- Photos of injuries
- Registration numbers of the vehicles involved
- Notes on weather conditions, road layout, and traffic signals
Step 6: Get witness details
If anyone witnessed the accident, ask to take their names and contact details.
Your insurer or solicitor may want to contact them in the future to request a witness statement if they think it will help your case.
Step 7: Report the accident to the police
Road traffic accidents should be reported to the police if any of the following apply:
- You were unable to exchange details with the other people involved
- Someone was injured
- You suspect the other person may have committed a driving offence
Most police forces in the UK have an online service for reporting road traffic accidents.
Step 8: Notify your insurer and/or contact a solicitor
You should notify your insurer of the accident, even if you don’t plan to make a claim through your insurance.
Check the terms of your policy and then report the incident, providing clear and accurate information about what happened as well as any evidence gathered at the scene of the accident.
Your insurer will then determine liability based on the evidence they receive.
Your insurer can help you to quickly claim compensation for straightforward claims, like minor bumps and simple vehicle repairs.
However, for more complicated cases involving physical injuries, lost earnings, ongoing medical treatment, or other significant financial losses, it is best to seek specialist legal advice.
A road traffic accident solicitor Liverpool can help you to understand your rights and pursue the maximum compensation that you’re entitled to claim.
Contact Mark Reynolds Solicitors to claim compensation for a road traffic accident
At Mark Reynolds Solicitors, we can help you claim compensation for a wide range of different road traffic accident claims, including:
- Whiplash claims
- Back and spinal injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Cycling accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Accidents involving pedestrians
- Cases involving uninsured or untraced drivers
- Cases involving children
You may be entitled to make a road traffic accident claim if you have been injured in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault.
In some cases, you may still be able to make a claim even if you were partly responsible for the accident.
If you’re not sure whether you have grounds to make a claim, give our team a call on 0800 002 9577 to arrange a free initial consultation during which we will listen to the details of your accident, explain your legal options clearly, and advise you on whether you are eligible to claim compensation.
We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you don’t need to pay us anything unless we successfully claim compensation on your behalf. Read our road traffic accident claims testimonials online.
Contact Mark Reynolds Solicitors today to start your no-win, no-fee road traffic accident claim.