What Should I do if an Accident Was my Fault?

Being involved in a car accident can be distressing, especially if you think it might be your fault. In this article, we answer questions which are often raised after a fault accident.

How can I tell if a car accident was my fault?

Car accidents can be confusing and stressful, and it may be difficult to tell what happened. Generally, you should avoid admitting liability for the accident at the scene, as this may not actually be the case. Police and insurance companies can gather evidence and vehicle damage, which can help show what happened.

What should I do following the accident?

Firstly, make sure you check if everyone is ok – both in your vehicle, and in any other vehicles that are involved in the accident. Contact the police and your insurance company to report the accident, and exchange details with the other party. If possible, take photographs of the scene, and note down everything you can – witnesses, vehicles, locations, damage and accident circumstances.

What information should I exchange with the other party?

Ensure that you exchange names, addresses and insurance details. As mentioned above, refrain from giving an admission of liability to the other party. Being involved in a road traffic accident can be very stressful and emotional, and circumstances surrounding an accident can be complicated. Avoid talking about how the accident happened, discussing who might be at fault, and avoid apologising, or making statements which could appear as an admission of fault.

What happens next?

Whatever happens, make sure you contact your insurer to advise them that you have been in an accident. If you decide to claim through your insurer, give them as much detail as possible. Advise them of the weather conditions at the time of the accident, the time and date of the accident, and a detailed explanation of how the accident happened.

In terms of getting your vehicle repaired, beware: an insurer may only agree to pay for your repairs if you use one of their own approved repairers. For this reason, wait for your insurer to contact you information about specifically which garage or mechanic you should use. Don't rush out to get your car fixed by your usual bodyshop straight away – you don’t want to end up paying for the repairs yourself!

What if I don’t want to claim through my insurance?

Regardless of whether you decide to claim through your insurance company or not, you’ll need to inform them that you’ve been in an accident. If the cost of repairing your vehicle independently is less than your insurance excess, you may wish to consider arranging for the repairs to be carried out separately. It is also worth considering whether claiming on your insurance will negate your no-claims bonus. 

If you were the at-fault party in an accident, unfortunately you can’t make a claim through Winn Solicitors. However, you may wish to seek legal advice in order to protect yourself from any claims made against you.

 If you’ve been the victim of a non-fault accident, we can help. See our non-fault accident advice page or contact us today on: 0800 988 6288. 

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