Don’t Know What to Do After A Car Accident? We are Here to Assist!

No matter the severity of an accident, it is always stressful and frightening. Don’t worry; Continental Car Hire, a premier accident claim management company, is here to save you from big trouble.

After a non-fault accident, have you been stranded on the road with an unroadworthy car? Don’t worry; call Continental Car Hire for immediate vehicle recovery in the UK. Even if you don’t have enough space to park the damaged car, place it in our storage unit until it is repaired.

Even if the car’s damages are not severe, we suggest not driving it, especially if you are unaware of the severity of the damage.

At CCH, we also have a list of approved garages and professional technicians who can assess the worth of your car after an accident. So, you can also know about;

What to Do After A Car Accident

Car accidents can be distressing and chaotic, but knowing precisely what to do after a car accident can help you navigate the situation efficiently and comply with UK laws.

In the UK, especially in a busy city like London, car drivers must follow specific guidelines to ensure compliance with the law and deal with potential insurance claims after an accident.

Here are a few steps you need to take immediately after a car accident to ensure your safety and win maximum compensation;

Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Contact Emergency Services
Gather Information and Evidence
Reporting the Accident
Seek Medical Attention (Even if There Are No Immediate Symptoms)
Understanding Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities
Call CCH for Vehicle Recovery
Claiming Compensation and Insurance Processes
Preventing Future Car Accidents

Now, let’s discuss these steps in detail to understand what to do after a car accident in a better way;

1. Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident

When an accident happens, ensure to keep yourself calm and consider following the initial steps, including;

Check Yourself for Injuries
Move to a safe location/Park your car on a safe side
Turn on the car’s Alert Lights

Check Yourself for Injuries

Your priority should always be safety. Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone involved for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call emergency services immediately by dialling 999. Provide as much information as possible about the accident’s location and the condition of those injured.

Move to a safe location/Park your car on a safe side

If your vehicle is causing a roadblock, move it to a safe location, such as the side of the road. However, if the accident is severe and there are injuries, it’s better to move the vehicles once the authorities arrive.

Turn on the car’s Alert Lights

Turning on your hazar d lights can help alert other drivers to slow down, reducing the risk of further accidents.

2. Contact Emergency Services

Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you still need to contact the emergency services in a few situations, such as;

When to Call the Police

Report the Accident to the Medical Services

When to Call the Police

Call the police if someone is injured, if there’s property damage, if the road is blocked, or if there’s any suspicion of criminal activity. You must notify the police within 24 hours, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Report the Accident to the Medical Services

Even if injuries appear minor, calling for medical assistance is advisable. Some injuries, like whiplash, may not manifest symptoms immediately, so calling the medical services in each scenario is essential.

3. Gather Information and Evidence

Collecting accurate information from the accident scene is essential to file a claim later. Here are a few pieces of evidence or information you have to collect from the accident’s scene;

Exchange the Information with Other Driver

Take the Photos and Videos of Accident Scene

Record the Witness Details and Statements

Exchange the Information With Other Driver

Get all involved parties’ names, addresses, insurance details, and vehicle registration numbers. The UK’s law requires sharing your details with anyone who reasonably requests them at the scene.

Take the Photos and Videos of Accident Scene

Document the accident scene, vehicle damage, number plates, road conditions, and any road signs. Photos can be crucial for insurance claims and help establish fault in a dispute. These evidences are essential whether you file a claim through an insurer or an accident claim management company.

Record Witness Details and Statements

If there are witnesses, take down their names and contact details. Witness statements can help verify the events of the accident and prove you are a non-faulty.

4. Reporting the Accident

Once you have followed all the initial steps, here are a few other steps you need to follow to proceed with your accident claim without any hassle;

Inform your Insurance Company

Fulfil the Legal Reporting Requirements
Inform the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licence Agency )

Inform Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance provider as soon as possible, within 24 hours. This step is necessary even if you don’t intend to make a claim.

Fulfil the Legal Reporting Requirements

If the police weren’t called to the scene, report the incident to the nearest police station within 24 hours of the accident. Even if the accident was minor, you must still report it to the police.

Inform the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licence Agency )

If the accident results in injuries that may affect your ability to drive, such as vision problems, trauma, or impairments, you may need to notify the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licence Agency).

Failure to do so could lead to fines and invalidate your insurance.

5. Seek Medical Attention

Some injuries, such as whiplash, post-accident trauma, or internal injuries, may not present symptoms immediately but could worsen over time;

Don’t Ignore Delayed Symptoms
Complete the Medical Records

Don’t Ignore Delayed Symptoms

Common delayed symptoms after a car accident include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and back pain. Even if you feel fine initially, seeing a doctor is essential.

Complete the Medical Records

Retain all medical documentation and receipts, as they can be vital for insurance claims or legal actions if you need to seek compensation, even through an accident management company.

6. Understanding Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities

According to UK law, understanding your legal responsibilities and rights after an accident can save you from fines and penalties.

Determine Who’s Liable for the Accident
What to Do If the Other Driver is Uninsured
What if the Other Driver Leaves the Scene (Hit and Run)
What are the Legal Obligations After an Accident?

Determine Who’s Liable for the Accident

The fault in a car accident is determined based on the circumstances, eyewitness accounts, and evidence like dashcam footage. Your insurance may cover the damages if found at fault, but you could lose your no-claims bonus.

What to Do If the Other Driver is Uninsured

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run car accident or the other driver is uninsured, report the case to the police immediately. You can file the claim through Continental Car Hire rather than your insurer, even if the other driver is uninsured.

What if the Other Driver Leaves the Scene (Hit and Run)

What to do if the other driver escapes the scene. Ensure you gather as much evidence as possible, such as vehicle descriptions, partial license plates, or witness statements.

Additionally, drivers should understand the legal process for reporting hit-and-run incidents to the police and filing claims with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

What are the Legal Obligations After an Accident?

In the UK, you must stop at the scene, exchange details, and report to the police if necessary. Failing to do so could result in penalties, including fines, licence points, or even imprisonment.

7. Call CCH for Vehicle Recovery

Even if the car’s damages are not severe, we suggest not driving it, especially if you are unaware of the severity of the damage.

At CCH, we also have a list of approved garages and professional technicians who can assess the worth of your car after an accident. So, you can also know about;

When Do I Need Vehicle Recovery?

Check for the essential roadworthy aspects of your vehicle to determine whether it needs recovery or whether you can drive it. If you fail to do so, let the professionals check its worth. While selecting the roadworthiness of the car, check for the following things;

Tyres and wheels	Car battery
Car’s brakes	Attachment of exhaust fan
Brake lights	Power steering wheel resistance
Headlights	Warning lights
Indicators	Fluid leaks
Flashlights	Cracks on windscreen and wing mirrors

8. Claiming Compensation and Insurance Processes

If you want to file a claim through your insurance company, do it by considering the following steps;

File an Insurance Claim
Involve a Personal Injury Lawyer
Deal with Claim Solicitors

File an Insurance Claim

To file a claim through your insurance company, provide your insurer with a detailed account of the accident and supporting documents like photos, medical reports, and witness statements.

Involve a Personal Injury Lawyer

If injuries are significant, consulting a lawyer specialising in car accidents can help you secure fair compensation for medical expenses and lost earnings. Continental Car Hire also offers personal injury claim services for all non-faulty drivers.

Deal with Claim Solicitors

When communicating with insurance companies or solicitors, provide accurate information. However, you should admit fault only once the investigation is complete.

9. Preventing Future Car Accidents

Now you have understood what to do after a car accident, it’s time to learn how to avoid accidents on the roads. Here are a few safety measures you can take to prevent car accidents in the future;

Safe Driving
Maintain Your Vehicle Regularly
Practise Safe Driving Through Advanced Tests

Safe Driving

To prevent road accidents, practice safe driving techniques, such as maintaining a safe following distance, avoiding distractions, and anticipating other drivers’ actions.

Maintain Your Vehicle Regularly

Regularly check your vehicle’s brakes, tyres, lights, and engine performance to ensure optimal vehicle performance. Also, visit a well-reputed and experienced automotive garage once a month for regular maintenance or car check-ups.

Practise Safe Driving Through Advanced Tests

You can improve your driving skills in a better and more perspective way; you can learn better driving techniques through advanced driving tests.

File a Car Accident Claim with Continental Car Hire

Most people think calling their insurer after a non-faulty accident is an ideal consideration. However, contacting an accident claim management company such as Continental Car Hire is always a wise choice one can make!

At CCH, we offer all non-faulty parties multiple alternatives under one platform. So they can receive maximum compensation without affecting their no-claim bonuses. Moreover, CCH claims handlers proceed or file the non-fault accident claim on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Calling CCH is the best option to get what you are entitled to after a non-fault accident.

Frequently Asked Question

Will I Have to Pay Excess While Claiming Through the Insurer?

Yes, you must pay excess to your insurance company if you file a claim through them. However, a few insurers will only ask you to pay the excess if you are at fault. You might not need to pay if you are a non-faulty. However, it entirely depends on the insurer’s policies and conditions.

Why Shouldn’t I Go to My Insurer for a Claim?

Going to a claim management company is better than your insurer if you seek a prompt solution with maximum compensation. Here are a few reasons behind not going directly to your insurer after being involved in a non-faulty accident;

Increased insurance premiums
Affected no-claim bonuses
Low-quality auto repairs
They are always on the urge to save money
Offer an essential courtesy car for a limited span
Don’t offer compensation according to your loss

Why Continental Car Hire for Accident Claim?

When it comes to choosing an accident claim management company, CCH, here are the perks;

A leading accident claim management company in the UK
A team of dedicated and experienced claim handlers
We are here to protect your no-claim bonuses
There is no need to pay excess premiums
You’ll get a comparable replacement vehicle until your car is repaired
24/7 roadside vehicle recovery & storage services
No cost to you

So, what’s more you are looking for? Now you know all about what to do after an accident. Give us a call and start your non-fault claim with us!

What should I do if my insurance claim is denied?

If your insurance claim is denied, you should:

Review the denial letter carefully.
Contact your insurer to seek clarification.
Appeal the decision by following your insurer’s internal complaint process.
If you disagree with the decision after the appeal, contact the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). They can help resolve disputes between insurers and policyholders in the UK.

How do I handle a hit-and-run accident?

Stay at the scene and ensure everyone’s safety.
Call the police immediately and report the incident.
Gather as much information as possible, such as the vehicle’s make, model, colour, and registration plate details.
Seek out witnesses who may have seen the incident, as their statements can be helpful for investigations.
Notify your insurer about the hit-and-run, as some policies cover uninsured driver incidents.

Can I get compensation for damages if the accident was my fault?

If the accident was your fault, your ability to claim compensation depends on the type of insurance you have:

Comprehensive insurance covers your damages even if you’re at fault.
Third-party insurance does not cover your damages; it only compensates the other party involved.
You can also consider using your collision coverage for repairs, though this will likely increase your premiums.