What to Do in Case of a Minor Car Accident?
4 Answers
Here are the steps to handle a minor car accident: 1. Determining Accident Liability: The first thing to do after a traffic accident is to protect the scene and send any injured parties to the hospital for emergency treatment. It is advisable to call the police at this time and have traffic officers intervene to handle the situation. After their intervention, the traffic police will inspect the accident scene, question the involved parties, conduct technical inspections of the vehicles, and then determine liability based on the overall circumstances and causes of the accident. 2. Retaining the Offender's Identification Information for Potential Legal Action: After determining liability, the traffic police will issue an accident liability report and deliver it to both parties. At this point, the injured party and their family should ensure that, while obtaining the accident liability report, they also make copies of the offender's driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance policy at the traffic police station for future legal action or claims. 3. Keeping Medical Expense Receipts: Retain deposit receipts for medical expenses or receipts issued by the hospital when the injured party pays for treatment during hospitalization. These receipts are necessary for final settlement and discharge procedures upon leaving the hospital. If the deposit receipts are lost, it may become difficult or impossible to complete the discharge process, so it is crucial to keep them safe.
When involved in a minor car accident, my first priority is personal safety. Move the vehicle to the roadside or a safe area, turn on hazard lights to alert others, and avoid blocking traffic which could cause secondary accidents. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, and call emergency services or 120 immediately if there is any pain. Place a triangular warning sign at an appropriate distance behind the car to alert approaching vehicles to slow down. Don’t rush to argue about who is at fault—safety first protects everyone. Once the situation is stable, take photos to document the full scene, vehicle damage details, and license plates for later processing. Finally, contact traffic police or report to the authorities to record the accident and prevent disputes from escalating. Developing good driving habits, such as maintaining a safe distance, can reduce such incidents. After an accident, it’s normal to feel panicked; take time to adjust your mindset before driving again.
As a frequent driver, I immediately handle evidence and legal responsibilities when involved in minor accidents. After stopping, ensure safety and avoid moving key elements of the scene until the police arrive, as this could affect liability determination. Take photos from multiple angles to capture the positions of both vehicles, damage conditions, and road signs/environment—video footage is even better. Exchange driver names, contact details, and insurance policy information; if no policy is available, record the company name and vehicle number. In case of disputes, call 110 to report to traffic police, describing the time, location, and incident details for documentation. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident to file a claim—report within 48 hours to avoid delays in settlement. When discussing repair options, choose a reliable workshop and keep all receipts and documents for reimbursement purposes. Regular maintenance of lights and brakes can prevent accidents from escalating. Drive according to the rules, avoid speeding, and maintain a calm mindset to minimize errors.
I had a minor scrape shortly after I started driving, don't panic take it slow! First turn on the hazard lights and stop the car safely, check that you and others are okay. Get out and take simple photos of the damage from several angles, don't forget the other party's license plate and car body details. Exchange phone numbers and driver's license numbers for easier communication. Call the traffic police immediately if needed to handle the scene, follow instructions and don't move the car yourself. Contact family or friends to come for support and better peace of mind. After returning home, notify the insurance company to start the claim process, just fill out forms describing what happened. Pay more attention to blind spots during the novice period, control speed and learn defensive driving. Afterwards, send the car to a professional repair shop to check for structural safety hazards. Gain experience and drive carefully, it'll get better with time.
