A vehicle accident can feel chaotic, especially when traffic is building, other drivers are frustrated, and everyone is trying to piece together what happened. The first few minutes matter more than most drivers realize: how you handle the scene affects how smoothly the claim goes later. This guide walks through what to do first, what to document, and when to bring in the police or your insurer.
Start with safety
Move to a safe area if the vehicle can still be driven and it is safe to do so; if not, switch on hazard lights and stay clear of moving traffic. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries first, then check on the other driver. Call emergency services immediately if anyone is hurt, no matter how minor it looks at first. Keep the conversation at the scene calm and factual, this is not the moment to argue about fault or admit responsibility, even if you feel you may have contributed to the accident.
Document the scene thoroughly
Photos are the strongest evidence you can gather, and more is better than less. Capture wide shots of both vehicles in their resting positions, close-ups of the damage, licence plates, road signs and traffic signals, and any skid marks. Note the time, weather and lighting conditions, since these can matter later. If your phone has video, a short walk-around clip of the scene can capture details a photo might miss.
Exchange information the right way
Get the other driver's full name, licence number, contact number and insurance details, and share yours in return. Write down the vehicle's make, model, colour and licence plate rather than relying on memory. If there are witnesses, ask for their name and phone number before they leave, since witness accounts are often the hardest thing to recover after the fact.
Know when to involve the police
A police report is not always mandatory, but it is a good habit whenever there is injury, significant damage, disagreement about fault or a hit-and-run. Ask for the report number before you leave, since you will likely need it when you contact your insurer. Even where a report is not required, a note of any officer's badge number or station is useful to have.
Start the claims conversation early
Contact PICL or your nearest branch as soon as the scene is safely handled, ideally the same day. Have your policy number, the other party's details and your photos ready when you call. Starting early gives the claims team more time to guide you through documents and next steps, and reduces the chance of details being forgotten.
Quick checklist
- Check for injuries and immediate danger first
- Move to safety and switch on hazard lights
- Photograph both vehicles, damage and the surrounding scene
- Exchange driver, vehicle and insurance information
- Get a police report reference when appropriate
- Collect witness names and numbers if available
- Contact PICL the same day to start the claim
This guide is general customer education. For policy details, claims requirements, legal obligations or road traffic rules, confirm the current requirement with PICL or the relevant authority.