What to do following a car accident
Around 1 million car accidents are reported in the UK every year and there were approximately 178,000 casualties among car users during 2005. Read more about car accident incidence rates.
If you have been involved in a car accident then you not only have legal obligations but you may also wish to consider how to prepare to make a personal injury claim.
Legal obligations
In the UK, you are required by law to do the following if involved in a car accident:
- Stop at the accident scene
- Exchange insurance details and identification information with any other parties involved
- Report the date, time and location of the accident to the police
- Failure to stop at an accident scene, no matter how minor you consider the accident to be, is a serious motoring offence.
- If the car accident resulted in one or more parties being seriously injured or killed or one of the drivers involved was driving carelessly, while intoxicated or while otherwise impaired the case is likely go to court. Charges may include:
- Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable care and attention for other road users
- Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drink
- Causing death through careless driving when unfit through drugs
- Causing death by dangerous driving
- Penalties for such offences are likely to include receiving points on your driving licence, monetary fines and prison sentences.
Practical advice
Whether you sustain a minor injury such as whiplash or a more serious personal injury such as a head injury, if involved in a non-fault car accident you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Following an accident we often feel confused and the prospect of making a car accident claim can seem daunting. However, our personal injury solicitors have a wealth of experience in dealing with car accident claims in a compassionate, sensitive manner and boast an excellent success rate.
Although the first instinct of most is to get away from the accident scene as quickly as possible, and while your safety and well-being should be your first priority, there are certain things that you can do at the accident scene which may support any subsequent personal injury claim that you make:
- If you suspect that you have sustained a personal injury get yourself checked over by a medical professional as soon as possible.
- Get the name, address, contact number, car registration and car insurance details from any other motorists involved.
- Get the name and contact number of any witnesses to the accident.
- Take photographs of the accident scene with your camera or mobile phone, including both close-up and wide angle shots. If you do not have a camera handy you could sketch the accident scene.
- Write down the series of events that led up to the accident so that you can recount these if needed at a further date.
- Take photographs of any injuries sustained from the car accident when you return home.
Making a car accident claim today
If you have been involved in a car accident through no fault of your own and wish to claim personal injury compensation then we are here to help.
By offering free legal advice and talking you through each stage of the process, our personal injury solicitors will fight to get you the most compensation available. Read more about compensation amounts.
We can help you to claim for the pain and suffering you have experienced and any financial losses that you have incurred. We may also be able to provide you with a free replacement vehicle while your car is off the road and arrange for you to have your car repaired at a reputable garage. Read more about what you can claim for.
Making a car accident claim couldn't be simpler. Just fill out one of our online forms or call 0800 197 32 32 today.
