Car accident in London: what to do at the scene

Even a minor bump leaves your heart racing, and it’s easy to forget something important. Work through this list in order. You can come back to it on your phone at the scene.

If anyone is injured, or the road is blocked and dangerous, call 999 now. Everything else can wait.

1. Stop

If you’re involved in a collision that damages another vehicle or property, or injures a person or certain animals, the law requires you to stop. Driving away is a criminal offence, even if you think the damage is minor.

Stop as soon as it’s safe, switch off the engine and put your hazard lights on.

2. Make the scene safe

• Get everyone out of the cars and away from the traffic, onto a pavement or behind a barrier.
• If the cars are drivable and nobody is hurt, and they’re blocking a busy road, move them to the side once you’ve taken photos of where they ended up.
• Don’t smoke, and keep away from any leaking fuel.
• If it’s an electric car and you see smoke or hear hissing from underneath, keep well away and call 999.

3. Swap details

You must give your name and address, the name and address of the vehicle’s owner if it isn’t you, and the vehicle’s registration number to anyone who has reasonable grounds to ask for them, such as the other driver. If anyone was injured, you must also show your insurance certificate.

It’s also sensible to swap:

• Phone numbers and email addresses
• Insurance company names and policy numbers
• The make, model and colour of each vehicle

4. When to involve the police

Call 999 if anyone is hurt, the road is blocked, a driver leaves without giving details, or you think another driver has been drinking or taking drugs.

If you couldn’t give your details at the scene, for example because you hit a parked car and couldn’t find the owner, you must report the collision to the police as soon as reasonably possible, and in any case within 24 hours. In most of London that’s the Metropolitan Police, and in the Square Mile it’s the City of London Police. Both accept reports online as well as at a police station.

5. Gather evidence

Photos taken in the first few minutes are often the most useful part of an insurance claim.

• Both cars, from several angles, showing the damage and the registration plates
• Where the cars ended up, before anyone moves them, if it’s safe
• The road: junctions, signs, road markings, traffic lights, skid marks and debris
• The weather and the light
• Names and phone numbers of witnesses, and the number of any bus involved

If you have a dashcam, save the footage before it records over itself.

Stick to the facts when you talk to the other driver. Let the insurers decide who was at fault.

6. Don’t drive a car that isn’t safe

Even if it starts, don’t drive away if the car has:

• Broken lights, a damaged windscreen or a wheel at an odd angle
• Steering that pulls or feels wrong
• Fluid leaking underneath
• Warning lights on the dashboard, especially for brakes or airbags

Call for accident recovery instead. We’ll carry the car on a flatbed to your home, your garage or your insurer’s approved repairer.

7. Tell your insurer

Most policies require you to report any accident promptly, even if you don’t plan to claim. Have your photos, the other driver’s details, any police reference and the recovery invoice ready. If the accident wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s insurer should cover your reasonable costs, including recovery.

Keep this list handy

Save this page, or screenshot the steps, so you have them if it ever happens. And if you need a car moved after an accident, anywhere in London, day or night, call us.