If an accident occurs...

Always inform the emergency services if you or anyone else is injured. If you need assistance at the accident scene, immediately phone the Lawcover First Response Centre. We can provide moral support and a discreet insurance check at the scene. If necessary we can alert the police on your behalf. The freephone number 0800 037 1066 (along with a direct line if you are outside the UK) is printed on your crashcard along with your membership number. The Lawcover First Response accident assistance line is open 24/7 throughout the year. It offers advice (including legal advice) at the roadside, message relay and any other help you, or any others involved in the accident might need. Even if you don't need the immediate assistance of the helpline you should always let us know about the accident, preferably on the day it occurs.

Taking photographs

Use a mobile phone camera to take photos safely and discretely, preferably from inside your vehicle. NEVER take risks when taking photos.

• Make sure you photograph the other driver's vehicle registration number and the position of damage on all vehicles.
• Try to photograph the vehicles in the position where they ended up after the impact.
• Photograph any skid mark or debris lying in the road.
  
• If the police are called, take a photograph of the registration number of the police car. This may assist them tracing their accident record. Also note down the name and number of the police officer attending and the station to which he or she is attached.
• Take a photograph of the surrounding area including the road layout, any street names or identifying landmarks (pubs, garages etc).
• Take photos of trees and foliage if the accident occurred in daytime or of street lighting if it happened at night.

Record the contact details

Record everyone's contact details including their name, address and registration number. Never merely accept a mobile phone number alone. Give a copy of your details to the other motorists involved and any police officer attending the scene.

ALWAYS use the simple lawcover forms provided with your membership pack to record the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the other driver and any witnesses prepared to help, even if the other driver has verbally admitted liability or the circumstances appear straightforward.

Wherever possible get the full name, address and telephone number of the other driver.

Mapping the scene

Choose the closest of the appropriate layouts in the booklet of pre-prepared accident scenes from your lawcover pack. Do this while at the scene or as soon after the accident as you can whilst it is still fresh in your mind. Mark clearly the direction of travel and point of impact of each vehicle and show any street lights, street furniture, other vehicles and witness positions plus any skid marks (with dimensions) and debris in the road.

Special guidance for incidents involving foreign drivers

If you have an accident with a foreign driver, he or she may ask you to sign a CONSTAT AMIABLE or Agreed Statement of Facts. Be very careful what you sign and if it is written in a language you don’t understand, don’t sign it at all! You are not obliged to under UK law but you may be if your accident occurs abroad: in either event you can demand a translation.

If the accident involves a truck make certain you record the number on both the trailer and the lorry itself. On most British registered trucks these should be the same, but some foreign vehicles have different numbers for each part of the vehicle.

Lawcover solicitors recommend always instructing the police if an incident involves a foreign driver.

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