The first few minutes after a collision are often confused and stressful, and it is easy to forget basic steps that matter later. This guide sets out a general, practical order of actions that most people follow after a road traffic collision in the UK, adapted for the sort of roads found across Cornwall.
None of this is a substitute for legal advice, and the right course of action always depends on the specific circumstances. If you are ever unsure whether the police need to attend, it is usually safer to call them than not.
Stop, and stay calm
Under UK law you must stop if you are involved in a collision that causes injury or damage to another person, vehicle, animal or property. This applies even if the damage looks minor or you believe the collision was not your fault.
Take a moment before doing anything else. Check yourself and any passengers for injury, and switch on hazard warning lights so other traffic can see you have stopped.
Get out of danger before anything else
On a fast road such as the A30 or A38, or on a narrow coastal lane with poor visibility around a bend, staying in a damaged vehicle in a live lane is dangerous. If it is safe to move the vehicle to a verge or layby, do so; if it is not safe to move, or someone cannot get out safely, stay well clear of traffic rather than standing beside the vehicle.
A warning triangle placed a reasonable distance behind the vehicle can help, but only place one if it is safe to walk there and back, and never on a motorway hard shoulder.
- Move to a verge or layby only if the vehicle is driveable and it is safe to do so
- Switch on hazard lights immediately
- Get passengers behind a barrier or away from the carriageway where possible
- Do not stand between vehicles or in a live lane to exchange details
When to call 999
You should usually call 999 if anyone is injured, if the road is blocked or dangerous, if a driver leaves the scene without stopping, or if you suspect the other driver is uninsured, unlicensed, or under the influence of drink or drugs. For anything less urgent, some police forces ask you to report online or via 101 instead.
If you are not sure whether your situation needs 999, it is generally safer to call and let the operator decide than to assume it is not necessary.
- Any injury, however minor it seems
- The road is blocked or a vehicle cannot be moved safely
- A driver fails to stop or refuses to give details
- Suspected drink, drugs, or no insurance
- Livestock, a pedestrian or a cyclist is involved
Details to exchange
Once everyone is safe, exchange details with the other driver or drivers involved. This is a legal requirement where damage or injury has occurred, and it is far easier to gather calmly at the scene than to chase up later.
Try to get this information even in a minor bump, since insurers usually need it to process a claim regardless of fault.
- Full name, address and contact number
- Vehicle registration, make and model
- Insurance company and policy number if available
- Names and contact details of any witnesses
- Location, date and time of the collision
Photographs and evidence
Taking photographs at the scene, if you are able to do so safely, is one of the most useful things you can do for an insurance claim. Photograph the position of the vehicles, the damage, the road layout, any relevant road signs, and weather or lighting conditions.
If you have dashcam footage, note roughly what time the collision happened so the relevant clip can be found and saved quickly, since some dashcams overwrite older footage automatically.
- Wide shots showing vehicle positions relative to the road
- Close-ups of the damage on each vehicle
- Registration plates of all vehicles involved
- Road markings, signage and any skid marks
- General weather and light conditions at the time
Getting your vehicle moved on
Once details are exchanged and, if needed, the police have attended, you will usually need to arrange recovery if the vehicle cannot be driven. Your breakdown cover or insurer may have a recovery service, or you can arrange an independent recovery firm to take the vehicle to a garage or storage yard.
Report the collision to your insurer as soon as reasonably possible, even if you do not intend to claim, since most policies require prompt notification and this can affect any later claim.
Need this sorted today?
If your vehicle cannot be driven away from the scene, call Broadside Recovery on 07874 130193 for accident recovery across Cornwall.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need to call the police after an accident?
Not always. Police attendance is usually reserved for injuries, blocked roads, drivers failing to stop, or suspected drink or drug driving. For a minor collision with no injury and details exchanged, many forces ask you to report online instead.
What if the other driver refuses to give their details?
You should try to note their vehicle registration and call the police, since failing to stop or provide details after a collision is usually a legal requirement on the other driver's part. Witnesses and dashcam footage can also help identify the driver.
Is it my fault if I don't have insurance details on me?
Not exchanging details at the time does not usually decide fault, but it can make the claims process slower. Provide what you can and follow up with your insurer as soon as possible afterwards.
Should I admit fault at the scene?
It is usually best not to discuss or admit fault at the scene, since this is often a matter for insurers or the police to assess based on the full evidence. Stick to exchanging factual details rather than opinions about blame.
Can I move my car if it's blocking traffic?
If it is safe to do so and the vehicle is driveable, moving it to a verge or layby is usually sensible to reduce risk to other road users. If it is not safe to move, or the vehicle cannot be driven, leave it and get clear of traffic instead.
Services covered in this guide
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