A car accident or RTA can be really distressing.  As if the initial shock of impact is not enough, the last thing you will be thinking, is to grab the necessary details.  None the less this is a crucial thing to do for the future if you are considering putting in for an RTA claim or settling matters with the insurance companies.

We receive many enquiries each month from individuals wanting to claim, following a road traffic accident where a third party was to blame.  So here’s the advice we dish out straight from the rta solicitors who fight on your behalf for damages.

Firstly try to gather information from the scene – if you can’t get it immediately go back later with a friend.

This is going to help both your insurance company and a solicitor obtain the best possible outcome at a later date.   Sketching out the accident, photographs and descriptions are all good so take a pen and paper along if you re visiting the scene.

Collect details – details are king and will really help matters in the future

• Contact details, names, addresses and telephone numbers of drivers. 

Were there any  pedestrian witnesses if so take their details or passengers involved.  If a party is driving during the course of employment you should take both the driver and the employer’s details.  

It may be worth noting a description of the driver, location and any distinguishing features.

• The accident time and the accident date.
• Vehicle details including vehicle make, model, reg number, colour, any modifications and if relevant and the number of passengers in each vehicle.
• Were the parties using headlights and/or indicator lights.
• What were the weather conditions, visibility and lighting conditions, including street lighting
• Name, “collar number” and force details of any police officer attending and other emergency services details if appropriate.

• Identify the damage to each vehicle involved.
• Identify any injuries to persons involved.
• take some photographs of the accident scene if you have a camera to hand.

 Information to note at the time or after the accident

• A description of what happened, sketches are also a great use of the vehicles’ positioning.
• What rough speed were the vehicles doing.
• What type of road were you driving on.
• A description of the scene of the accident, including any relevant road markings.
• Were the parties were using headlights or indicators.
 
It is actually an offence for someone to refuse to give the other driver details following an accident, if there has been injury or property damage.  Accidents should be reported to the police within 24 hours and please remember to Inform your insurance company of the accident as quickly as possible. 

Your insurance company may refuse to insure you if you have not notified them of the accident within a set time period.