What to Do After a Car Accident in Tyne and Wear

First priority: people and position

Check yourself and your passengers before you think about the car. If anyone is hurt, or you suspect they might be, call the emergency services straight away and tell them where you are. Adrenaline hides pain, so do not rely on feeling fine.

If the vehicles can be moved and it is safe to do so, pull over somewhere out of the flow of traffic. Switch the engine off, put the hazard lights on and, if you need to leave the car, think carefully about the safest place to wait. On a busy dual carriageway or the approach to a tunnel, that is usually well away from the carriageway rather than beside your bumper.

• Hazard lights on and engine off
• Wear a high-visibility jacket if you carry one
• Do not stand between vehicles or in a live lane
• Call the emergency services if anyone is injured or the road is blocked
• Keep children and pets safely away from traffic

Swapping details and recording the scene

Exchange names, addresses, vehicle registrations and insurer details with the other driver, and note the make, model and colour of their car. If there were witnesses, ask whether they are happy to share contact details. Stay polite and factual. Arguing about who was at fault at the roadside rarely helps anybody.

Be careful about what you sign or admit to in the heat of the moment. You can describe what happened without making statements about blame, and your insurer can help you with that side of things. If you are unsure about your obligations after an incident, check the current guidance rather than relying on memory.

Photographs that actually help

Your phone is the most useful tool you have. Take wide shots that show where each vehicle came to rest, the road layout, any road markings or signs, and the weather and surface conditions. Then move in close on every area of damage, on both cars.

Photograph number plates, the other driver's insurance details if they show them, and any debris on the road. Close-ups of cracked bumpers, dented panels and broken lights are valuable later, because they show a repairer and an insurer what the impact looked like before anything was tidied up. Take more than you think you need.

Is the car safe to drive or does it need recovery?

Look before you turn the key. Fluid dripping underneath, a bonnet that will not latch, a bumper hanging loose, a wheel that points the wrong way or a tyre that has been cut are all reasons not to drive. Steering that pulls, grinding noises, warning lights or a car that feels unstable afterwards also mean it should be checked before it goes any further.

A bumper that looks like a cosmetic problem can hide damage to sensors, brackets, the radiator or the structure behind it. If there is any doubt, arranging recovery is the sensible option and far better than risking a breakdown on a fast road.

Getting the repair estimated

Once you have reported the incident to your insurer, if you are claiming, you can ask where the repair will be carried out. Whether you are going through insurance or paying privately, a bodyshop will inspect the car, look for hidden damage and give you an estimate. Costs depend on the extent of the damage, the parts needed, the paint process and any structural work, which is why a proper look beats a guess from a photo.

Accident repairs can involve a mix of work: bodywork and dent removal, replacing panels, bumper repairs, and where the impact has gone deeper, welding and structural or chassis repairs. Ask the repairer to explain what is being repaired and what is being replaced, so the estimate makes sense to you.

Keep a simple record afterwards

Note the date, time and place, the other party's details, your insurer's claim reference and the names of anyone you speak to. Keep copies of estimates, emails and receipts together. If symptoms such as neck pain or headaches appear in the days afterwards, get them looked at by a medical professional.

Mention any odd behaviour once the car is back on the road, such as a pull to one side or new noises. A good repairer would rather hear about it early.

Frequently asked questions