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uk Transport & mobility emergencies minor collision • minor car accident • small crash • fender bender • bumped another car • low speed collision • parking lot bump • parked after accident • safely pulled over • road traffic collision • car bump no injuries • exchanging driver details • damage only accident • share name and address • vehicle registration exchange • owner details not my car • photos after accident • shaken after crash • other driver won’t share details • worried about reporting to police • insurer notification after accident

What to do if…
you are safely parked after a minor collision

Short answer

If it’s safe, stay put, check everyone is uninjured, then exchange the required details and record what happened before you leave.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t drive off without exchanging the required details.
  • Don’t admit fault, argue, or negotiate cash while you’re shaken.
  • Don’t share extra personal data you don’t need to (for example, avoid sharing phone/email if you don’t want to, and avoid letting someone photograph unnecessary documents).
  • Don’t stand in the road or between vehicles to take photos.
  • Don’t rely on memory alone—note the other vehicle’s registration number and key facts immediately.

What to do now

  1. Make the scene safer (from where you are). Keep hazard lights on. If you’re near moving traffic, stay in the car with your seatbelt on until it’s clearly safe to step out, and exit on the pavement/safer side if you can.
  2. Quick injury check (including yourself). Ask everyone if they feel pain, dizziness, nausea, or confusion. If anyone is injured or seems unwell, call 999 (or 112) and say you’ve been in a road collision.
  3. Exchange the required details (the legal minimum). Calmly give and request:
    • Driver name and address
    • Vehicle registration number
    • If you are not the vehicle’s owner, the owner’s name and address Often exchanged (to reduce hassle later): insurer name and policy number (if you’re comfortable sharing it).
  4. Record what happened while you’re still parked. Use your phone to capture:
    • Photos of both vehicles’ damage (wide + close-up)
    • Photos showing where the vehicles are, road markings/signs, and any debris
    • Time/date and exact location (street name or a nearby landmark)
    • Witness name and contact number (if anyone stopped and is willing)
  5. If you couldn’t exchange required details, report it promptly. If the other driver won’t share details, drives off, or it feels unsafe to keep engaging, stop the conversation, stay in your car (lock doors if needed), and call 101 (or 999 if you feel threatened or someone is injured). If you did not give the required details at the scene, you must report the collision to the police as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours.
  6. If anyone is injured: keep the “insurance certificate” rule in mind. If someone is injured and you did not produce your insurance certificate when required, you must report to police as soon as possible and within 24 hours, and you may need to produce your insurance certificate within 7 days.
  7. Notify your insurer as soon as you can. Even if you think you won’t claim, many policies expect you to tell them about incidents. Keep your notes/photos for when you speak to them.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide who was at fault right now.
  • You do not need to agree repairs, accept cash, or sign anything at the roadside.
  • You do not need to contact lots of people—focus first on safety, details, and documentation.

Important reassurance

Feeling shaky, tearful, angry, or “blank” after a small collision is common. Your job for the next few minutes is simply to stay safe, swap the basics, and make a record so you don’t have to rely on memory later.

Scope note

These are first steps for the minutes to couple of hours after a minor collision when you’re already safely parked. Anything involving injuries, suspected offences, or escalating conflict may need urgent help and follow-up.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules and expectations can vary by situation, and your insurer may have specific reporting requirements.

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