Car accidents can cause serious injuries and also impact your mental health. Unfortunately, they’re common occurrences, with GOV.UK<\/a> reporting 1,633 fatalities and 133,443 casualties from road collisions in the year ending June 2023.<\/p> Suffering a car accident can cause panic, leading to a range of emotions. However, you might be eligible to make a claim for compensation. In this guide, we’ll reveal the essential steps to take after your accident, giving you peace of mind.<\/p> You’ll likely be in a state of shock straight after a car accident, and fussing around gathering details will probably be the last thing on your mind.<\/p> But if you’re able to, noting some of the key bits of information mentioned below can be very useful if you decide to make a personal injury claim<\/a> later on.<\/p> When you speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor, they’ll need to bring together all the facts of your accident so that they can prove it was somebody else’s fault and get you the full amount of compensation you need for your injury and recovery. Any evidence you can get at the scene can help them do this.<\/p> For free advice or to find out whether you could make a case, you can speak to a trained legal adviser for free on 0800 234 6438 or fill out the online form<\/a> for a callback<\/span>. They’ll never pressure you to take the next steps but can answer your questions and help you decide how to move forward.<\/p><\/div> We know that being involved in a car accident can be very traumatic, and this can often make it difficult to remember exactly what happened and who was involved after time has passed.<\/p> Because of this, it’s best to make some notes while you’re at the scene of the accident so that your solicitor can get a clearer picture of what happened when putting together your case.<\/p> If you can do so, we recommend gathering the information below:<\/p> You need to pull over if you’ve been involved in a road traffic accident, even if it wasn’t your fault. It’s a legal requirement for you to stop if any of the following have happened:<\/p> Most people feel the need to apologise after a road accident, especially if they think it was their fault – but the court may see it differently. Because of this, it’s best not to apologise immediately, as this could be an admission of guilt and affect your compensation claim.<\/p><\/div> Unless you were unharmed in the accident, seeing a doctor or going to A&E as soon as possible is important. It’s better to be safe than sorry, as you may have been injured without realising it straight away.<\/p> Conditions such as whiplash<\/a> can take hours or even days to become apparent, and injuries such as fractures<\/a> and internal bleeding<\/a> may need an in-depth examination to be spotted.<\/p> In the time following your accident, you should also keep receipts for any expenses caused by your injuries and note any earnings lost through time spent off work. With these in mind, your compensation will be worked out so you’re not left out of pocket.<\/p><\/div> In most cases, you won’t need to report a minor car crash after an accident, but it depends on numerous factors, including:<\/p> Being stuck on the motorway hard shoulder is a terrifying experience, but knowing what to do can save your life and keep other road users safe. Here are the most important steps to follow:<\/p> You should report the accident to your car insurance company as soon as possible, with many specifying a time limit of 24 hours. Of course, if you have severe injuries and can’t file a report, the insurance provider will understand.<\/p> However, it’s best to look at the policy and read its terms so you understand any obligations.<\/p><\/div> The first step is to consider your safety and ensure the safety of anyone involved in the accident. You should gather evidence for your insurance company, including photos of the scene, dash cam footage, and details about what caused the incident.<\/p> If anyone suffered injuries but you didn’t call the authorities, notify the police within 24 hours using the 101 number. Always make sure you follow all instructions given by your insurance provider and the police—it will help when you make a car insurance claim.<\/p><\/div> Hit-and-run accidents usually occur when the driver deliberately leaves the scene. In some cases, it might be because they don’t want to swap insurance information, but being under the influence of drugs and alcohol or causing a severe injury are also reasons for hit-and-runs.<\/p> Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident will incur penalty points on their driver’s license and a maximum prison term of six months. The punishment could be more severe for incidents that cause severe injuries or fatalities.<\/p> While you should always call the police, they might be unable to trace the driver. However, you can still make a claim for compensation through the Motor Insurance Bureau<\/a> (MIB).<\/p> The bureau provides compensation for people and vehicles involved in a car accident that fall under the following categories:<\/p>What steps should I take immediately after a car accident?<\/h2><\/a>
What details should you gather?<\/h2><\/a>
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Always pull over after a road accident<\/h2><\/a>
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Seek medical help<\/h2><\/a>
Do you have to report a minor car accident to police forces?<\/h2><\/a>
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What should I do if I’m stranded on the motorway hard shoulder?<\/h2><\/a>
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How long do you have to report a car accident to your insurance company?<\/h2><\/a>
I was in a car accident; what should I do next?<\/h2><\/a>
What are the steps after a car accident where the other driver didn’t stop?<\/h2><\/a>
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