Last Updated 26th August 2025. No one expects to be involved in a road traffic accident, but there were 128,375reported in Great Britain in 2024 alone. Reported road casualties for the same period included 1,633 deaths and 27,904 serious injuries. Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Knowing what to do in a car accident can make all the difference in safely navigating the immediate aftermath and beyond.

From what to do at the scene of a crash to whether you have to notify the police, this step-by-step guide will walk you through all the information you might need about car accidents. If you have been injured in a crash that wasn’t your fault, you’ll also find helpful guidance on how one of our solicitors could help you claim compensation.

Whether you need expert road accident advice or want to see if you can get started with your claim, our advisors and solicitors are on hand to help you. There’s nothing to lose from contacting us, so please get in touch today by:

• Calling 0800 073 8804.
• Using our ‘contact us‘ form.
• Tell us what happened to you via our live chat.

Jump To A Section

• What To Do If You Have A Car Accident
• What Information Should I Record At The Scene?
• What To Do If I Hit An Animal In A Car Accident?
• How To Avoid Crash-For-Cash Claimants
• Motorway Car Accident: What To Do If I’m On The Hard Shoulder?
• At What Point Can I Leave The Scene Of The Incident?
• Will I Have To Call The Police After A Car Accident?
• If I’ve Been In A Car Crash, Do I Have To Inform My Insurance?
• I Didn’t Need Immediate Medical Attention, Should I Still See A Doctor?
• Get Advice On Starting A Car Accident Claim From Legal Expert
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Learn More

What To Do If You Have A Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident can be traumatic. Even if you are not physically injured, you can experience shock, panic and other strong emotional reactions. Taking these steps immediately after a car crash can help to ensure your safety, as well as that of any passengers or other persons involved in the accident.

• If you are not already stopped in a safe place, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Stop the car and switch off your engine.
• Switch on the hazard lights to warn other motorists and road users.
• Check if you and/or any passengers are injured. NHS first aid advice states that if you believe a person has a spinal injury, you do not move them.
• If it is safe to exit the vehicle, check if anyone else involved in the accident is injured.
• If there is damage or injuries, dial 999 to report the accident and ask for an ambulance and the police.
• Exit the vehicle with all passengers if it is safe to do so.
• Try to remain calm and do not admit fault or apologise for the accident. The police and/or insurance providers are responsible for apportioning fault.

Please contact our expert team for help if you have been injured in a car crash. Our advice services are live 24/7, and you can get a free assesment of your situation to see if you might have a case to claim compensation.

What Information Should I Record At The Scene?

Once it is safe to do so, you will need to record certain information (where possible) at the scene of the accident. In particular, you should exchange and record the following information as required under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA):

• The driver’s name, address, and the vehicle registration number.
• Names and addresses of the vehicle’s owner (if different), such as if it is a company car.
• Details of insurance companies and policies.

Additional Information You Should Record At The Scene

Below, you will find some of the additional information that you should record at the scene of a car accident:

• Record the make, model, and colour of any cars involved. Record their number plate and take photos of the vehicle(s).
• Record details of (known) damage to vehicles. Take photographs if possible.
• If a lorry is involved in the accident, you may also request details of the company involved.
• The time, date, and location of the accident.
• Prevailing driving conditions include the weather, the state of the road (such as the road surface, markings, etc.), and visibility/lighting. Take photos of any road defects or other factors involved in an accident, such as mud on the road.
• Witness contact details, including for passengers involved in the accident, other motorists, or pedestrians, etc. If you make a claim with one of our solicitors, they can use that information to collect statements on your behalf.

As already highlighted, try to take as many photos as possible of the scene of the accident, any missing road markings, mud or ice on the road, defects, vehicle damage and visible injuries. These photos may later be used as evidence if you choose to claim compensation.

Please note that there are circumstances in which you may not be able to exchange such information, particularly if the other driver does not stop at the scene (hit and run), or where there are serious injuries.

If you have any questions about documenting an accident, please contact us at a time that’s convenient for you. Our advisors are here 24/7, so you’ll always get a quick response.

What To Do If I Hit An Animal In A Car Accident?

According to Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, you must notify the police. A failure to do so is a criminal offence. Here are some steps on what to do if you have a car accident and hit an animal:

• Stop as quickly as you can once you’re aware that you’ve hit an animal.
• Switch off your engine and turn on your hazard lights to alert other road users about the accident.
• Check whether you or the co-passengers have sustained any injuries. Even if there are no visible injuries, we recommend that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. This would help to rule out the possibility of any serious injuries.
• We understand that you may be concerned about the animal and would want to check on its injury. However, injured animals can get defensive, such as an injured dog, which could bite. If you’ve hit a wild animal like a deer or a large one like a mule, it is better to inform the police or a local veterinarian. You can also contact the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) emergency service. The RSPCA is an animal welfare charity operating within England and Wales, and they would be able to help.
• If you hit a dog or a cat, you must check for a name tag and call the owner, or take them to a local veterinarian.
• The veterinarian will check whether the animal has been microchipped. The law now mandates the microchipping of both pet dogs and cats.

We understand that hitting an animal can be very distressing. However, our advisors will walk you through the entire process of what to do when you have a car accident and hit an animal. Call us now using the number below or chat with us.

How To Avoid Crash-For-Cash Claimants

In order to avoid crash-for-claimants, it’s necessary first to discuss what they are. Crash for cash claims are incidents in which fraudsters deliberately cause or stage a road traffic accident in order to gain financially from it. A 2024 parliamentary research briefing stated there were 13,700 insurance-related fraud offences recorded or referred in England and Wales in 2023.

These incidents may happen when a vehicle unexpectedly sharply brakes or when it flashes its lights to indicate you are free to go before crashing into you. In either instance, they will purposely crash into you. Fraudsters may also remove their brake lights, so you have no warning that they are slowing down or sharply braking.

A crash-for-cash driver will try to blame you for the accident, immediately giving you their insurance details and other information. They will then try to make a (potentially exaggerated) claim against you, which might include injuries, the cost of recovering a vehicle, and car hire.

Steps you can take to minimise your chances of being involved in a crash-for-cash scam include:

• Maintaining a safe distance and taking special care in stop-start traffic as well as at junctions and roundabouts, etc.
• Keep alert to any erratic driving, such as a vehicle slowing down or swerving for no visible reason.
• Increase your distance to any vehicle where the brake lights appear not to be working.

Installing a dashcam can also help to support your account of what happened. Please contact us for car accident advice if you think you have been involved in a crash-for-cash incident. Next, we look at what to do in a car crash on the motorway.

Motorway Car Accident: What To Do If I’m On The Hard Shoulder?

If you find yourself on the hard shoulder because of a motorway car accident, you should try to take the following simple steps:

• If possible, stop close to an emergency telephone or refuge area. Typically, emergency phones are spaced 1 mile apart. Calling from this phone identifies your location to a highway authority or the police.
• Turn on your hazard lights to warn other motorists.
• Only exit the vehicle from the nearside (left-hand) doors.
• Ensure you and any passengers move to a safe place away from the hard shoulder. This may be behind the Armco barriers.
• Only move pets from the vehicle if it is an emergency, and ensure that they are restrained.

Following these steps could help keep you safe if you have to stop on a motorway hard shoulder. Find out more about what your options are if you’ve been in an accident by talking to our team.

At What Point Can I Leave The Scene Of The Incident?

You can leave the scene of the incident at the point that you have fulfilled your legal obligations, as set out in Section 170 of the RTA discussed earlier in this guide.

Once you have fulfilled your responsibilities, you may leave the accident scene, provided that it is safe for you to do so. For example, you may have injuries which require on-site medical treatment provided by paramedics, or your vehicle may not be drivable.

Can I Still Drive My Car Immediately After An Accident?

You are free to drive your car immediately after an accident if you have fulfilled your responsibilities, such as exchanging insurance information, and it is safe for you to do so. However, you must be certain that your car is in a drivable condition.

If you are in any doubt about the safety of your vehicle, you should get it checked before driving away by calling out a recovery or breakdown service. Failing to ensure your car is safe to drive may affect your insurance and leave you without cover.

Speak to our team to learn more about what to do in a car accident and see if you can claim compensation today.

Will I Have To Call The Police After A Car Accident?

You will need to call the police after a car accident in specific circumstances, such as where there are injuries or damage. You must call the police where:

• You or another party is injured. This may be in conjunction with calling the ambulance and fire service.
• The accident has created a blockage on the road.
• The other driver fails to stop at the scene of the accident.
• You know or believe that another road user is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
• The other driver fails to provide their insurance details, or if you think they are uninsured.
• You believe the other driver deliberately caused the accident.

Even if you think you’ve only had a minor car accident, if any of these criteria are met, you must contact the police. Please get in touch with our team to find out how we could help you make a claim.

If I’ve Been In A Car Crash, Do I Have To Inform My Insurance?

If you’ve been involved in a car crash, you must inform your insurance company as soon as practically possible.

Insurance companies may have time limits in which any accident must be reported to them. In some cases, this is within 24 hours of the accident occurring. If you fail to inform your provider, it may constitute a breach of your policy’s terms and conditions.

In such an event, that may mean that future claims are rejected, your insurance provider does not defend you in claims against you, or that your policy is voided. Failing to report an accident where appropriate may also lead to your policy being cancelled and make it harder to obtain insurance in the future.

Get in touch with our team for the latest car accident advice and get a free, no-obligation case assessment today.

I Didn’t Need Immediate Medical Attention, Should I Still See A Doctor?

Even if you do not feel that you need immediate medical attention, you should still see a doctor. Whilst some injuries may be immediately apparent, such as major fractures or head injuries, others may not be. For example, conditions like whiplash may only start to show symptoms like pain and stiffness some days after the accident.

Besides the importance of taking care of your health, seeing a doctor can be an important part of the claims process. After all, every personal injury claim needs evidence, and cases involving road traffic accidents are no different. Your doctor will likely take notes on your injuries, their severity, and the prognosis for recovery, all of which can be useful evidence for your claim.

If you choose to seek compensation, you may also be asked to attend a medical exam to assess your injuries. One of our solicitors can organise this assessment, which may produce additional medical evidence in support of your claim.

What Are Some Common Injuries After A Car Accident?

Some of the most common injuries sustained after a car accident include soft tissue damage, fractures, and whiplash. Generally, the more serious a car accident is, the more serious the injuries may be.

Below, we list some of the different types of injuries you might suffer in a car crash:

• Concussions, head, or brain damage.
• Spinal cord or back injuries.
• Neck injuries, such as whiplash.
• Fractured and broken bones.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Burn injuries.
• Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage.
• Psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If you have been injured in a traffic accident, you may be unsure of what to do next. If that’s the case, please contact us for clear advice and to share your car accident experience.

Get Advice On Starting A Car Accident Claim From Legal Expert

You can get free advice on starting a car accident claim from Legal Expert by contacting us at any time that is convenient for you. We run a 24/7 live advice service, so you can always have confidence that you’ll get a quick response from one of our friendly team members. They are here to listen, advise in complete confidence, and help you take your first steps on your compensation journey.

If eligible, you may be connected to one of our dedicated solicitors. Our high-quality, cutting-edge services are available under a type of No Win No Fee arrangement referred to as a Conditional Fee Agreement, or CFA. That’s because we believe everyone who is entitled to claim should be free to do so, regardless of their financial position.

Here is how a CFA can benefit you:

• You can get started with your claim straightaway as there are no upfront solicitor fees to pay.
• There aren’t any surprises as your claim progresses, as our legal representatives do not charge ongoing solicitor fees.
• If you don’t win your case, you won’t have to pay any solicitor fees for all the work done on your case.

You would only be asked to pay for your solicitor’s work if your claim is successful. This is called a success fee, which is deducted as a percentage of your compensation. The percentage charged is limited by law, so you’ll know from the start that you’ll get most of what you receive.

What Services Are Offered By Legal Expert’s No Win No Fee Solicitors?

Legal Expert’s No Win No Fee solicitors offer a range of services tailored to the unique needs of every one of our clients. Those services include:

• Providing regular updates about your claim.
• Supporting your recovery by putting you in touch with specialists like psychologists and physiotherapists.
• Obtaining proof for your case and expertly presenting the evidence to maximise your chance of success.
• Offering clear, straightforward advice that isn’t bogged down by confusing legal jargon.
• Representing you in correspondence and negotiations with the utmost professionalism.

All of these (and many other) services are always delivered with expertise by our team of car accident solicitors, who have years of combined experience in successfully advocating on behalf of clients like you across the country. They have already secured over £80 million in compensation nationwide, and they may be able to help you next.

Contact Our No Win No Fee Solicitors

Find out what to do in a car accident and how to claim compensation by contacting our team today:

• Phone us on 0800 073 8804.
• Use our contact form.
• Speak to us using our live chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this final part of our guide, you can get the answers to some frequently asked questions about what to do after a car crash.

What If I Was At Fault?

If you were at fault, your insurance provider may have to pay for the other vehicle to be repaired. You might be charged an excess fee (in line with that set out in your policy).

Should you have a no-claims bonus, this may also be affected, and you may face higher premiums if/when renewing your cover. Additionally, any person injured may make a claim against you. However, your insurance company would be responsible for dealing with this.

Any person injured may make a claim against you. This will be dealt with by your insurance company.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing A Seatbelt?

If you were not wearing a seatbelt, you may still be able to make a claim if you were injured in a car accident. However, you might have to claim on the basis of something called contributory negligence. This occurs in situations where it can be argued that your injuries were exacerbated by your failure to wear a seatbelt or that this failure led to them.

In cases featuring contributory negligence, your compensation may be reduced to reflect the level of your responsibility. For example, if it is determined that you are 50% at fault for your injuries, you would receive 50% of the compensation you would’ve gotten had you not been deemed partly liable.

What If The Other Party Is Uninsured?

If the other party is uninsured or failed to stop at the scene of an accident, you would need to make a claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). This organisation is funded by insurance premiums and aims to compensate individuals who have been involved in accidents caused by untraced or uninsured drivers.

Learn More

Learn more about road traffic accident claims with some of our other guides:

• An explainer on time limits for road traffic accidents.
• Frequently asked questions about claiming after a T-bone accident.
• A detailed overview of car accident laws.

Further resources:

• Government guidance on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
• Advice from the government concerning vehicle insurance.
• NHS information on when to visit A&E.

Keep this guide on what to do in a car accident saved in case you are involved in an accident. If you have been injured in a car crash, our team is on hand to help you.