What to do if you’ve had a car accident

We hope you never need to use this, but if you are ever in the unfortunate position to be in an accident, we hope this guide will be helpful.

If you take the right steps immediately after a car accident, you can stop a bad situation from getting worse and help to make sure your car insurance claim is paid out without a hitch.

To help you do that we’ve pulled together some advice on what to do if the worst happens…

Stop!

It may sound stupid, but you need to stop.

Not stopping at the scene of an accident or failing to report an accident you’re involved in is actually a serious offence that can result in a hefty fine, disqualification or even prison.

You should also make sure your car’s engine’s switched off and your hazard lights are on so that you can alert others on the road of your presence.

Who you gonna call? 999

If someone has been hurt or the accident is impacting the road and people can’t get by, your next step should be to call 999.

Give them an overview of what’s happened, is anyone hurt, if yes how bad, make sure they’re aware of everything so that when the emergency services arrive, they are aware of what to expect

Get a report

If the accident requires the police, always ask for your own copy of their report.

Their report will cover all the key information about the accident, and having a copy of it will help you a great deal when it comes to making a claim.

If the police aren’t needed as the accident isn’t too serious and no one has been hurt, then you’ll need to take some notes yourself to help you with your claim.

Take down the other drivers information, what time it happened, the location of the accident and also get plenty of pictures too.

Who you gonna call next? Your insurer!

Next, it’s time for another phone call… this time to your insurer, us, 1^ST CENTRAL.

You need to get in touch with us as soon as possible to tell us what’s happened, even if you’re not sure you want to make a claim. We can talk you through your options and deal with any third parties, so you’re not hassled by them.

The quicker you get in touch, the quicker we can help you out. Don’t delay, because if you take too long to get in touch after an accident, you can lose your right to be covered.

Fingers crossed you’ll never need this advice, but at least you now know the basics.

It can be scary getting back behind the wheel after an accident, no matter how serious, if you are struggling, don’t worry, it’s only natural.

Why not take a look at our guide on getting back behind the wheel? You never know it might make you feel more at ease for your first journey back on the road.