Being involved in a car accident is one of the most stressful experiences any driver can face. In the shock of the moment, it can be hard to know what to do first. This step-by-step guide will help you stay calm, stay safe, and make sure you do everything right — from the scene of the accident all the way through to getting your car recovered.
Step 1 — Check for Injuries
Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 999 immediately. Do not move anyone who may have a neck or spine injury unless there is immediate danger from fire or traffic.
Step 2 — Move to Safety and Use Hazard Lights
If your car is driveable and it’s safe to do so, move it to the side of the road or into a nearby car park. Switch on your hazard lights and, if you have one, place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your vehicle. If you’re on a motorway, get out of your car on the left-hand side and stand behind the barriers well away from traffic.
Step 3 — Call the Police if Needed
You must call the police if anyone is injured, if the road is blocked, if another driver doesn’t stop, or if you suspect the other driver is under the influence. In Nottinghamshire, call 101 for non-emergency incidents or 999 in an emergency.
Step 4 — Exchange Details
Swap the following information with all other drivers involved:
- Full name and address
- Vehicle registration number
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Phone number
You are legally required to provide your details to anyone with reasonable grounds to request them. If the other driver refuses, note their registration and report it to the police.
Step 5 — Photograph Everything
Before anything is moved, take photos and video of:
- All vehicle positions on the road
- All damage to every vehicle involved
- Road markings, signs and signals nearby
- Road conditions (wet, icy, potholes)
- Any skid marks
- The wider scene from multiple angles
These images can make or break an insurance claim later.
Step 6 — Get Witness Details
If anyone witnessed the accident, take their name and contact number before they leave. Independent witness statements are incredibly valuable when there is a dispute over fault.
Step 7 — Call BG Recovery for Free Accident Recovery
If your car has been damaged and can’t be driven — or if you’re unsure whether it’s safe to drive — call us on 07455 266154. If the accident wasn’t your fault, we recover your vehicle completely free of charge. You pay nothing upfront and nothing afterwards. The at-fault driver’s insurer covers our recovery fee directly.
We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, including the M1, A52, A46 and all surrounding roads.
Step 8 — Notify Your Insurer
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible — even if you don’t intend to make a claim. Failure to report an accident can invalidate your policy. Most insurers have a 24-hour claims line and will guide you through the next steps.
One Final Tip — Don’t Admit Fault at the Scene
Even if you feel partly responsible, do not apologise or admit fault at the scene. Liability is determined by insurers and, if necessary, by courts — not by a conversation on the roadside. Stick to factual exchanges of information only.
Free Accident Recovery Across Nottingham — BG Breakdown & Recovery
At BG Breakdown & Recovery, we respond to road traffic accidents across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire 24/7. If the accident wasn’t your fault, we recover your vehicle at no cost to you and handle insurer liaison directly.
Call us now on 07455 266154 — we’re available day and night.
Or WhatsApp us here for an immediate response.