Automotive Accident? Here’s What to Do in the First 24 Hours
An automotive accident is a collision involving vehicles or other road users that can lead to injury, vehicle damage and an insurance claim. The first 24 hours after an automotive accident can feel overwhelming, and even a relatively minor collision may leave you shaken, unsure what to do next and concerned about your vehicle, your claim or how quickly you can get back to everyday life.
The actions you take immediately after the incident can affect your safety, the evidence available, whether the police or your insurer have the right information, and how smoothly any claim progresses. For UK drivers dealing with a non-fault accident, as well as fleet operators and professional drivers who need disruption kept to a minimum, getting these early steps right can also help protect your no claims bonus and support faster access to repairs or a replacement vehicle.
Here is what you should do during the first 24 hours after a road traffic accident, including immediate safety checks, exchanging details, gathering evidence, reporting the incident, seeking medical attention and understanding how accident management support can help.
1. Stop and Check Everyone Is Safe
You must stop after an accident involving another vehicle, person, animal or property. Switch off your engine, turn on your hazard lights and check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
If it is safe to do so, check whether anyone else involved needs assistance. Call 999 immediately if:
Someone has been injured
The road is blocked or unsafe
A vehicle is in a dangerous position
You suspect drink or drug driving
Someone leaves the scene without exchanging details
There is an immediate risk to other road users
Avoid moving anyone who may have a serious injury unless they are in immediate danger.
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2. Move to a Safe Location
If nobody is seriously injured and the vehicles can be moved safely, relocate them away from moving traffic. Use a nearby lay-by, side road or another safe location where possible.
Do not put yourself at risk to inspect damage or collect evidence. If a vehicle cannot be moved, remain somewhere safe and wait for the emergency services or recovery assistance.
On a motorway, leave the vehicle through the door furthest from traffic where possible and wait behind a safety barrier.
3. Exchange the Necessary Details
Exchange information with every driver involved in the automotive accident. Make sure you collect:
Full name
Home address
Telephone number
Email address
Vehicle registration number
Insurance provider
Insurance policy details, if available
Name and address of the vehicle owner
Employer details if a commercial vehicle was involved
You should provide your details as well. Remain calm and avoid accepting responsibility for the collision, even if you believe you may have contributed to it. The circumstances should be assessed using the available evidence.
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4. Record Evidence at the Scene
Evidence can make an important difference when dealing with auto accident insurance claims. If it is safe, use your phone to take clear photographs and videos of:
Damage to every vehicle
Vehicle positions
Registration plates
The wider accident scene
Road markings and signs
Traffic lights
Weather and road conditions
Skid marks or debris
Any damaged property
Visible injuries
Try to take both close-up and wide-angle photographs. Dashcam footage should also be saved immediately to prevent it from being overwritten.
Write down the approximate time, location and direction in which each vehicle was travelling. These details may be difficult to remember accurately later.
5. Speak to Any Witnesses
Independent witnesses can help confirm what happened, particularly when drivers provide different accounts of the collision.
Ask witnesses for their name and contact details. If they are happy to provide a brief account, record what they saw in their own words. Do not pressure them or suggest what they should say.
Businesses and nearby properties may also have CCTV footage. Make a note of any visible cameras so the footage can be requested before it is automatically deleted.
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6. Report the Accident to the Police When Required
Not every collision requires police attendance. However, you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you were unable to exchange the required details at the scene.
You should also contact the police if:
Another driver left without stopping
You believe an offence occurred
A driver refused to provide their details
You suspect the other vehicle was uninsured
Someone was injured
The accident created a serious road hazard
Keep any police reference number you receive, as it may be needed during the claims process.
7. Seek Medical Attention
Some injuries are immediately noticeable, while others can take several hours or days to appear. Adrenaline may initially hide symptoms such as pain, stiffness, headaches or dizziness.
Seek medical advice if you experience any discomfort or unusual symptoms following the automotive accident. Call 999 for serious symptoms or attend an appropriate medical service for less urgent concerns.
Medical records can also provide evidence that your injuries were connected to the collision and may support personal injury claims if symptoms develop after the collision. Avoid exaggerating or minimising your symptoms; simply explain clearly what you are experiencing.
8. Notify Your Insurer
Contact your insurer as soon as reasonably possible, even if you do not intend to make a claim. Most policies require drivers to report any accident within a specified period.
Provide accurate information, but avoid guessing if you are unsure about a detail. You can explain that further evidence will follow.
Before accepting any settlement or authorising repairs, make sure you understand your options. Effective car accident management can act as an accident management service that helps coordinate communication, vehicle recovery, repairs and replacement transport after a non-fault accident, often free to the driver, while helping recover costs from the at-fault party's insurer.
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9. Do Not Rush Into Decisions
After a collision, you may receive calls from insurers, recovery providers, repair companies or claims organisations. This can become confusing, particularly when several parties are asking the same questions.
Do not feel pressured to make an immediate decision. Before agreeing to a service, confirm:
Who the company represents
Whether any uninsured losses are covered
Where your vehicle will be taken
Who will complete the repairs
Whether a replacement vehicle is included
How the claim will be managed
Uninsured loss recovery can help recoup out-of-pocket costs such as hire vehicle costs and policy excesses.
Professional accident management companies can explain the process, and they may handle claims without impacting your insurer; in the UK, they are regulated by the FCA.
10. Write Down Everything You Remember
As soon as you are somewhere safe, write a detailed account of the accident. Include:
What happened before the collision
The route you were travelling
Your approximate speed
Weather and visibility
The actions of the other driver
Anything said at the scene
Details of any injuries
Police or recovery involvement
Keep all photographs, emails, reference numbers and receipts together. Good record-keeping helps ensure that accidents are managed efficiently and reduces the risk of important information being lost.
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How Car Accident Management Companies Can Help
Dealing with the entire process after an automotive accident can be stressful. Car accident management brings these different parts together through one point of contact.
Following a non-fault automotive accident, accident management support may include:
Recovering your damaged vehicle
Arranging an assessment
Taking your vehicle to an approved repairer so it can be repaired to the required standard
Providing suitable replacement vehicles
Communicating directly with third-party insurers
Keeping you updated throughout the claim
They can minimise business disruption during vehicle repairs. The service can also recover costs from the at-fault insurer and may help keep your insurance premium unchanged.
This support can be particularly valuable for businesses, fleet operators and professional drivers who need to minimise disruption and return to the road quickly.
Get Support and Uninsured Loss Recovery After an Automotive Accident
Knowing what to do during the first 24 hours can protect your wellbeing, preserve important evidence and support your claim. Prioritise safety, collect accurate information and report the incident to the appropriate organisations.
ACH provides professional car accident management support and can assist insured motorists after a non-fault crash. From vehicle recovery and repairs to replacement transport and claim coordination, our team works to help prevent insurance premium increases and make a difficult situation easier to manage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after an automotive accident?
Stop in a safe location, switch on your hazard lights and check everyone for injuries. Exchange details with the other driver and gather photographs, videos and witness information where possible.
Do I need to report an automotive accident to the police?
You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if details were not exchanged, someone was injured, the other driver left the scene or you believe an offence occurred. It should also be reported to your insurance company as soon as possible.
Should I contact my insurer after a minor accident?
Yes. Most insurance policies require you to report every accident, even if the damage is minor or you do not intend to claim. Check your policy for its specific reporting requirements.
What evidence do I need for auto accident insurance claims?
Useful evidence includes photographs of the vehicles and accident scene, dashcam footage, witness details, medical records, police reference numbers and a written account of what happened.
How does car accident management help after a collision?
Car accident management can coordinate vehicle recovery, damage assessments, repairs, replacement transport and communication with the relevant insurers as an accident management service, reducing the stress placed on the driver; it may also provide legal support and recover costs from the at-fault insurer.
Can ACH help if the accident was not my fault?
Yes. ACH can support drivers following a non-fault automotive accident, helping to arrange recovery, repairs and a courtesy car or other replacement vehicles where appropriate, often free to the driver in non-fault cases, while keeping the claim properly managed.
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