What to Do After a Car Accident
What to do if you are involved in an accident
Regardless of fault, being involved in an accident can be traumatic.
It can leave you feeling anxious, emotional and frightened.
There are more than 1.3 million licensed vehicles in Northern Ireland, and with so many people out on the road accidents are, unfortunately, inevitable.
But if you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should not be out of pocket financially.
Nor should you have to spend a penny on rehabilitation or vehicle repair.
And if you can’t work after an accident, you should be compensated fairly.
There were 4,753 injury road traffic collisions recorded in 2024 by police.
Sadly, 69 people died as a result, 939 people were seriously injured and 6,486 were slightly injured.
Overall road traffic casualty levels in 2024 fell by 6.1% compared to 2023 and continue to remain below pre–Covid-19 figures. However, the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) increased by 6.0% from the previous year and remains consistently higher than levels recorded before 2020. Among these, 93 children aged under 16 were killed or seriously injured — 10 more than in 2023. There were also 21 fatalities among those aged 65 and over, representing an increase of three compared with 2023 and 11 more than in 2022.
So if the worst should happen to you, do these 5 things immediately after an accident.
1. Call the Police: Report the Incident Immediately
After a collision, your adrenaline is pumping, and you might not be able to think clearly.
If there are any injuries, call for an ambulance.
Regardless of whether the collision was a significant smash or a minor scratch, call the police immediately.
This will ensure there is an accident report created by the police; you might need this later for your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not the police’s job to investigate collisions on behalf of insurance companies.
Their central role is to protect the scene from subsequent collisions and ensure treatment of injured drivers.
And because accidents sometimes result in traffic jams and diversions, the police will want to ensure the free flow of traffic as quickly as possible.
Their other central role is to investigate the collision to determine the cause of the accident and whether any criminal offences have been committed.
2. Ensure Your Safety: Move to a Safe Location
Your safety is paramount.
If you are involved in an accident on a motorway, go to a safe location off the hard shoulder until help arrives.
Do not wait in your car with the hazard lights on as oncoming vehicles may not be able to see you and your vehicle correctly if your lights are damaged in the collision.
3. Check on Everyone Involved: Take Photos and Document the Scene
After calling the police and getting to a safe place off the road, check on the other driver.
If necessary, help them get to a safe place off-road.
Do not engage in the blame game about who was at fault for the collision; let the police or insurance companies determine fault.
If you have a smartphone, take pictures of both cars, damage etc. as this might come in handy at a later date.
4. Exchange Contact and Insurance Details with the Other Driver
If you have a pen and paper with you, write down details about the other driver. Or write it down on your phone either by drafting a text message or saving the details in your notes.
This should include their full name, driving licence number, phone number, address, car make and model, the colour of the car, registration plate and apparent damage.
Also, include in your notes your recollection of the collision: where it happened, what direction you were travelling, your estimated speed, weather conditions and anything else you think might be relevant to the crash.
You might also find our blog 10 steps you should take after being involved in an accident more useful and detailed. As well as 5 things you should NEVER do after an accident.
5. Contact CRASH Services
At CRASH, we take care of everything at no cost to you. We deal with your accident from start to finish and even offer legal and medical assistance. Our mission is to To act with care for those involved in road traffic incidents and we have an excellent team of claims specialists who are here to help you get back on the road as quickly as possible.
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 in 1996
- Trusted by Hundreds of Thousands Local Northern Ireland Motorists
- No Cost to You, Costs Recovered from Insurers
- Complete Accident Management from Recovery to Repairs
- 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?
The first priority is safety. Check for injuries, call the emergency services if required, move to a safe location where possible, and ensure other road users are not placed at risk.
- Do I need to call the police after a car accident?
If there are injuries, road blockages, concerns for safety, or legal obligations to report the collision, you should contact the police. An official record of the incident can also be helpful later.
- What information should I collect at the scene?
Try to obtain:
- Driver names and contact details
- Vehicle registration numbers
- Insurance details
- Photographs of vehicle damage and the accident scene
- Witness names and contact details (if available)
- Should I take photographs after a collision?
Yes. Photographs can provide valuable evidence. Capture vehicle damage, road positions, road markings, traffic signs, weather conditions, and any other relevant details.
- What should I do if someone has been injured?
Call 999 immediately and request emergency assistance. Do not move injured individuals unless there is an immediate danger, such as fire or a risk of further collisions.
