What to Do After a Road Traffic Accident in Northern Ireland
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Northern Ireland, knowing what to do next can help protect your safety, your legal position and your vehicle. Follow these 10 essential steps to stay in control after a collision.
According to the 2025 PSNI Key Statistics Report, there were 5,015 injury road traffic collisions recorded in Northern Ireland last year. These resulted in 7,879 casualties, including 56 fatalities and 1,066 people seriously injured.
So, what should you do if you’re involved in an accident?
Follow this 10-step checklist after a car accident:
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Being involved in an accident can be very stressful.
Your body’s adrenaline ‘fight or flight’ response will kick in and may even mask the pain of any injuries.
It’s at this stage you have to try to remain calm.
Long deep inhales and exhales of breath will get your heartrate back to normal.
Depending on where your accident occurs, you might need to exit your vehicle and get to a safe place off the road.
2. Keep Communication Simple and Factual
Check on the other driver and make sure they’re ok.
When speaking to the driver, remain calm and composed.
You might want to use your mobile phone to type in details, or take photographs as quickly as possible.
3. Never Admit Fault
As we discussed earlier, people involved in an accident can be stressed and pumped with adrenaline.
That’s not the best time to ascertain who was at fault or admit responsibility.
And admitting responsibility even when you believe you’re at fault is not helpful; leave the determination of that to another time.
4. Call the Police: Report the Accident
If it’s a serious accident, call 999.
If it’s a minor collision, call the non-emergency number, 101.
This is a vital step as you may need a record of the police’s accident report later at the request of insurance companies or legal representatives.
Irrespective of whether there are any injuries or vehicle damage, contacting the police is of utmost importance.
Offers of money to fix the damage by the other driver should not be readily accepted; some vehicle damage or bodily injuries aren’t always apparent immediately after impact.
5. Gather Witness Information
In our era of dash cams, mounted traffic cameras and mobile phones, potential evidence is there if you look for it.
After a collision, get the details for any witnesses; ask for their name, telephone numbers, registration plates etc.
If you notice any of the witnesses with a dash cam, share your email address and ask them to email you the footage, which might come in handy during later investigations.
6. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
It’s important to have witnesses that can back up your version of events.
But even more important is to have their correct contact details.
Some people are hesitant to get involved or share their contact details but if you believe they saw the accident, if its another driver take down their make, model and colour of car and registration plate.
That means the police can contact them should they need clarification on any part of the collision.
Exchange contact details with the driver of the vehicle you collided with too.
This should include the time of the collision, registration plate of the other vehicle, other driver’s name, location of the collision, insurance company’s name, drivers licence number, telephone number, and anything else you feel is essential.
7. Take Photos and Make Notes
We’re lucky in 2026 to have mobile phones of similar quality to a professional photographer.
After a collision, walk around your car and take as many photographs as you can from different angles.
Then go over to the other vehicle and repeat this exercise.
After taking photos of both cars separately now take several photographs of both vehicles together, capturing the area around the collision too.
Write down in your notes an estimate of your speed before the collision, which direction you were going and general road conditions.
Avoid discussing any details of the collision with the other driver; leave it until the ‘dust settles’ to ascertain what fault, if any, exists on either party.
8. Speak Calmly and Factually to the Police
When the police arrive at the scene, recount your story.
We know it’s a stressful time but try to leave out emotion and keep your story factual.
Show the police all the notes you have written down and share anything else you feel is relevant to the report.
9. Call CRASH Services on 028 9066 0244
CRASH are NI’s largest accident management company and can take care of everything after an accident. They can arrange vehicle recovery, collision investigation, organise repairs, provide a replacement vehicle, liaise with insurance companies and offer legal and medical assistance.
Thankfully, since you followed the previous eight points in this blog, you will be able to recount all of the facts from the collision quite quickly.
CRASH aim to take away the hassle from an accident and get you back on the road as quickly as possible. There is no fee for the accident management service as the costs are recovered from insurers involved.
10. Don’t Feel Ashamed: Accidents Happen to Everyone
A lot of people feel a sense of shame and guilt after an accident.
But nobody leaves their house with the intention of causing accidents, so don’t feel ashamed or guilty.
Regardless of whether it was your fault or not, accidents happen.
Download our Free Accident Advice Guide
The guide – ‘Your Rights After a Road Traffic Accident’ – is a valuable 20-page source of information and advice for local motorists.
How CRASH Services Can Help You After A Car Crash or Accident
At CRASH Services, we specialise in helping drivers in Belfast, Newry, Derry~Londonderry and across Northern Ireland get back on the road quickly.
After an accident, our expert team will take care of:
- vehicle recovery,
- collision investigation,
- organising repairs,
- providing a replacement vehicle,
- liaising with insurance companies and
- legal and medical
And we do it all, at no cost to the not-at-fault driver.
Our service is free as we recover the costs from the third-party insurers.
Why Choose CRASH Services?
- Established Reliability: Operating since 1996 (Over 25 years of trusted service)
- Proven Trust: Trusted by Hundreds of Thousands of Local Northern Ireland Motorists.
- No Cost to You, Costs Recovered from Insurers
- Complete Accident Management from Recovery to Repairs
- Exceptional Reliability: 99% Customer Recommendation Rate
Our Mission is Simple:
“To act with care for those involved in road traffic accidents.”
Need Help After an Accident in Belfast, Newry, Derry~Londonderry or anywhere across Northern Ireland?
Call us today on 028 9066 0244 or Request a Callback Today
CRASH Services, take care of everything, at no cost to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Prioritise safety first. Check for injuries, move to a safe location if possible, contact the emergency services if required, and gather information from everyone involved in the collision.
- Do I need to call the police after a road traffic accident?
If there are injuries, road blockages, concerns for public safety, or legal reporting requirements, you should contact the police. An official record of the collision may also be useful later.
- Should I admit fault at the scene of an accident?
No. It’s best to stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault. Liability is often determined after a full review of the evidence and circumstances surrounding the collision.
- What details should I exchange with the other driver?
You should exchange:
- Full name
- Contact details
- Vehicle registration
- Insurance details
- Vehicle make and model
It’s also useful to note the time, date, and location of the accident.
- Why is it important to gather witness details?
Independent witnesses can provide valuable evidence if there is a later dispute about how the collision occurred. Their observations may help support the facts of the incident.
- Should I take photographs after a collision?
Yes. Take photographs of:
- Vehicle damage
- Vehicle positions
- Road markings
- Traffic signs
- Weather conditions
- The surrounding accident scene
These images may prove useful during any investigation or claim.
