1 in 5 drivers don't know what to do in a crash – do you?

Here’s a slightly worrying fact for you – statistics say that over the course of the average person’s driving career, they’ll be involved in between three and four accidents. That works out roughly to about one every 18 years. Now, there are lots of reasons not to take that at face value – there are tonnes of factors that involve someone’s likelihood of being involved in a crash. The point is that at some point, it’s likely that you’ll be involved in one, no matter how carefully you drive.

That makes it all the more concerning that British insurance company Aviva have recently published a survey that showed a significant number of UK drivers would not know what to do in the event of a crash – whether in their own car, or in a vehicle they’ve chosen for daily car hire or van hire. So the question is – are you one of them?

What does the survey say?

Aviva’s survey said that fifth of drivers – or 20% – admitted they simply wouldn’t know what to do following a crash. What’s more, over a third (36%) weren’t aware that the Highway Code obliges them to stop at the scene of an accident, which is a duty under the law.

Even more strikingly, almost half (45%) said they were unsure about the correct action to take when another car or property is damaged. That lack of clarity climbs further when it comes to injuries, with 66% not knowing the right steps when someone is hurt. Nobody seems to know the correct procedure for collisions involving animals either – 80% of drivers said they wouldn’t know how to handle the situation.

Perhaps the most revealing statistic is that only 5% of respondents could identify all the correct steps to follow after a collision, even though over half (52%) had previously been involved in one. That’s a pretty significant knowledge gap – and if you’re not able to count yourself in that 5%, it’s definitely worth taking the time to get yourself up to speed. (It’s just a figure of speech!)

Here's what you need to do if you’re involved in a crash

One of the most underestimated elements involved in a collision is the fact that adrenaline is normally running high, and so are the emotions of nearly everyone involved. That can make it really easy to overlook the key steps you need to take, both to ensure the safety of everyone present, and to protect yourself as best as you can from a legal standpoint. So below, we’ve summarised a few of the essentials – please note that it's not exhaustive!

Step #1 – Stop your car and secure the scene

Even if the incident seems minor, you absolutely need to stop for it. The Highway Code makes this absolutely clear – failing to stop after an accident is actually a criminal offence. You categorically cannot drive away or assume it’s acceptable to deal with things later – some people have made that mistake, and paid very dearly (sometimes literally) for it!

That means you’ll need to pull over in a safe location, switch on your hazard lights, and stay with your car. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, do what you can to make yourself visible. If it’s safe to placing a warning triangle (and you’ve got one with you), this can alert oncoming drivers and help prevent further incidents.

Step #2 – Contact the emergency services where necessary

It’s really important to call 999 immediately if someone has been injured, or they’re unconscious, or otherwise look like they need urgent medical help. This applies even if the injuries appear minor at first – symptoms can worsen after the adrenaline wears off. It’s also worth calling the police if there’s any sign of dangerous driving, intoxication, or aggression. You are legally required to report a crash to the police if it involves specific animals such as dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep or donkeys. If unsure, always call – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Step #3 – Share your details with everyone involved

Once the situation is under control and it’s safe to do so, you must exchange your details with the other driver or drivers involved. That means providing your full name, home address, phone number, car registration, insurer’s name and policy number, and your driving licence number. If there are any witnesses present, make sure to ask for their contact details too.

If you’ve hired a car – for example, if you’re driving one of our hire cars here at Intack Self Drive – it’s crucial to call the hire company as soon as you can, so that staff can help you follow the right process from that point onwards. That can help you to avoid complications, additional charges or breaches of the hire agreement. Just don’t prioritise it over anyone’s safety!

Step #4 – Record the incident clearly and thoroughly

When it comes to liability, you’ll be better protected if you gather more evidence. It’s generally a good idea to use your phone to take wide-angle and close-up photos of the scene, including all cars, damage, number plates, traffic signs, and road markings. Note down the direction each car was travelling, the time of day, road conditions, weather, and anything else that might be relevant.

If you have a dashcam, secure the footage before it gets overwritten. If you can, sketch a quick diagram of the scene to support your explanation. All this information may prove useful in insurance processes, police reports or legal claims.

Step #5 – Notify your insurer straight away

Even if you think the incident was minor or wasn’t your fault, it’s crucial to notify your insurance provider as soon as you can. Most policies require you to report it within 24 hours, (it’ll be in your contract) and failure to do this could invalidate your cover.

When looking up your insurer’s number online, avoid clicking on sponsored links – scammers sometimes pay for ad placements that appear above the genuine contact information. Instead, use the details on your official documentation, the insurer’s app, or the verified website.

That’s all the essentials covered – it’s not a bad idea to print out all the key Highway Code guidance, and pop the paper in your glove compartment. It can be difficult to remember all the steps when you’re full of adrenaline, and as an extra bonus, focusing on a set of procedures can do wonders for helping you to calm down.

And once you’re all set to go, you can trust us to help you get to your destination here at Intack Self Drive. With hundreds of vehicles to choose from, we’re determined to offer the very best prices on daily car hire. If you’re not exactly sure how long you’ll be away for, make sure to check out our Flexi Hire service, which gives you more freedom to hire a vehicle for a period that suits you - and all at a reduced rate compared to daily or weekly car hire prices.

If you’ve got any questions or you need any advice, feel free to give us a call on 01254 57811, and we’ll be happy to help however we can!