What you should do after a car accident




If you have been involved in a car accident, no matter how minor, you are bound to be feeling a bit shaken up, and may even be suffering from shock. Even the most level headed of individuals can forget to collect vital details at this stressful time.

Particularly if the car accident was not your fault, it is important to gather other information to help prove your case, in addition to the normal 'name, address and insurance company'. You also have to bear in mind that a driver may give you false information for example, in this case it is absolutely vital that you take down the registration number of their vehicle, so the vehicle can be traced.

What to do after a car accident

  • First make sure everyone is ok, and call the emergency services if necessary.

  • If someone is injured and unconcious, do not attempt to move them, wait for the emergency services

  • Warn fellow motorists if there is a danger of obstruction, but only if it is safe to do so

  • Obtain full details of the vehicles involved ie. make, model and registration number

  • Collect as much information as possible from the other driver(s) ie. name, address, phone numbers, insurance company, policy number and driving licence number

  • Collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses to the car accident

  • If you have a mobile phone, and can do so safely, take photos of the scene ie. shots of the vehicles from different angles, skid marks etc.

If you have any neck pain or headaches in the days following the accident, you may have suffered a whiplash injury. Injuries of this type are very common so if you would like us to pursue a compensation claim on your behalf, we will be happy to help.

If you have had a car accident that was not your fault, we and our partners can provide you with car-hire, repairs and professional legal services. Please feel free to give us a call on 02392 484 244 for further information, and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury