Who should I report my road traffic accident to?

In the event of a road traffic accident, it can be confusing about who to contact and what to do – all whilst dealing with the stress of the accident.

In this article we look at who you should report your accident to, and what details you should take.

Police

In some cases, it may be required to report your accident to the Police. For example, if there are injuries, vehicle damage, property damage, or injured animals, it is crucial to notify the police. It may also be that the resting place of the vehicles may be a danger to other road users, or pose a danger in trying to move them.

You can call 999 to report a car accident in Scotland. Make sure you provide the police with all the relevant details about the accident, including its location, the number of vehicles involved, and the extent of any injuries or property damage. Get a copy of the police report for prospective legal and insurance claims.

In Scotland, according to the road traffic act, you must report to the police if someone suffers an injury, regardless of the severity of the damage. This includes minor injuries that may not appear severe at the time of the accident.

You can report the accident at the police station if your injury is minor and you do not need medical help. Visit the local police station and provide them with the required details.

Cooperate with the police throughout the entire process. Provide accurate and truthful information about the accident and your injuries as this may affect your claim.

Insurance company

Report the car accident to your insurance company as soon as possible – but tell them that you are informing them merely for their information, and do not want them to pursue a claim against the other driver.

Provide any relevant details and, if you have them, the police report number. Keep track of all accident-related documents, including the police report, medical records, correspondence with your insurance company, and receipts for any expenses incurred.

Solicitor

If the accident resulted in any degree of injury or vehicle damage, seek legal advice from Oakwood Scotland Solicitors. We will help you understand your options, rights, and obligations, and how to go about making a compensation claim.

Click here to read about what you may be entitled to claim for.

Who can make a Road Traffic Accident claim?

There are many different types of road traffic accidents you can claim for. Some of the common scenarios are:

A driver or motorcyclist injured in a road traffic accident that wasn’t their fault
A passenger travelling in a vehicle – car, bus, coach or motorcycle – that becomes involved in a road traffic accident
A pedestrian, cyclist or horse rider hit by a car or other vehicle.

How long do I have to make a claim?

You have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. But the sooner you seek legal advice, the quicker and easier it is to prepare your claim.

What evidence do I need?

At the time of the accident, it is advisable to collect as much evidence as possible. It is also important to keep any receipts or proof of expenses caused by the accident in a safe place as these may be reimbursed.

This may include photos of car damage, dashcam footage, medical expense receipts, and contact details of any witnesses. You should also report the accident to the police as a non-emergency if anyone is injured, or you believe a crime was committed, or you didn’t exchange details at the scene.

You should also report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.

What information should I take from the other driver?

If the other driver has stopped and your vehicle is in a safe location, you will need to exchange personal information with the other driver.

We would always recommend that you try to take the following details after an accident:

The other driver’s name and address
A contact telephone number for the other driver
The vehicle registration of the third-party car
The name of the third party’s insurance company
The policy number for the third-party driver’s insurers

What should I do next?

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident, contact Oakwood Scotland Solicitors Limited today to find out how we can help you.

Oakwood Scotland Solicitors Limited has been dealing with personal injury claims caused for many years. Many of our Solicitors and Paralegals have additional qualifications in personal injury. Unlike many other firms, at Oakwood Scotland you will have a Personal Injury Expert involved in your case from day one.

We deal with many claims across many spectrums, and from minor claims to claims that have lifelong injuries that are life changing. At Oakwood Scotland, we understand the process can be stressful and even daunting, that’s why we have staff that are understanding, compassionate and very professional.

We aim to secure your result as quickly as possible and in many cases without the need for court proceedings.

When you instruct Oakwood Scotland Solicitors, you can expect a friendly, down-to-earth approach, together with an extensive knowledge of personal injury which ensures we achieve the best possible outcome for you. Our advice is tailored to your needs and in plain English. We will always strive to achieve the correct level of compensation for your claim.

At Oakwood Scotland Solicitors, we understand that instructing a Solicitor can be a costly exercise and that is why we have several funding models including ‘no-win, no-fee’ which means that there is no risk to you, and you will not be charged if your claim is unsuccessful.