What details to get at an accident

When you swap details with a driver, here are the things that you should be sure to obtain from the other driver:

You need to of course get their name, their address and a contact telephone number: either landline or mobile

You should also be sure to note down the registration number for their car, and double check that you have written it down right as this is key. Also write down the make of the car, and if you like the colour too.

You need details of their insurance, and whether the driver owns that vehicle or not, because the person driving it may not always be the actual owner of the vehicle.

Other things to make notes on vary depending on what the accident is, who it involved, and the severity of the incident.

Note down any damage that occurred to either vehicle, and of any injuries to people. In the case of damage to vehicles, many people now who all have cameras on their phone will take a photo of the scene or of any damage, and you might like to do this to have a visual record of what occurred which can also act to jog your memory in future.

Note down the prevailing conditions - was it wet, windy, dark, dry, sunny, thunder and lighting? Were there police at the scene - if so what was their ID number?

With regard to the other vehicles - how were they behaving? Was a car speeding, was it trying to jump the lights, did it have the wrong indicator on or indeed no indicator at all - was it in poor condition and perhaps not road safe?

By noting down all these details at least you will have a thorough record of the accident should it be necessary for insurance or even police enquiries or court cases.

Related Articles...

driving theory test
Regular car checks to perform
In addition to the daily checks that you should perform on core elements of your car such as the tyres (see article entitled 'what to check on your car daily') there are various other elements that...

Car Driving Theory Topics
When studying for the car theory test it is important to understand the types of topics that will be covered. The theory test is there to satisfy European Community regulations and so the...

Taking the theory test if you don't speak English
Not everyone who takes the Driving Theory Test will be confident enough in their ability to speak and understand English to take the test. Whilst some people in Wales will want to take the test in...

Cost of a driving theory test
If you are learning to drive a car in the UK, then there is not just the practical test to think about. You must also pass a theory test in order to be able to take the driving practical test...

Typical brake faults outlined
The brakes are a mechanical object and so it is possible that they will develop problems and not function the way that they should be. This is clearly very dangerous because brakes are one of the...

Vehicles that cannot be used for a practical test
The vast majority of drivers will of course use the vehicle of their instructor or driving school when they take their practical test and so will not need to worry about the vehicle. However...

The Driving Standards Agency
The Driving Standards Agency has a website at www.dsa.gov.uk. They are an executive agency within the Department for Transport in the UK. They deliver tests for theory and practical...

Why is there a Hazard Perception Test
The statistics have long shown that the newer the driver, the more likely they are to be involved in accidents on the roads. This is probably because they are inexperienced as drivers, although...

Tips on driving in half light
Most drivers prefer driving in the day in good light in optimum road conditions, because these are the best conditions in which to see exactly what is going on in the road. However there are...

How Pass Plus Works
What does pass plus contain? Well, it has six different modules and each of these ones focuses on a different set of conditions in which you might have to drive. These are in and around the town,...


Back to home page of driving theory test questions