What to Do After Someone Hits Your Car: A Complete UK Guide
Somebody hit your car and you don’t know what to do? Our step-by-step guide covers everything from gathering evidence to filing a non-fault claim. Get expert accident claim help today.
Need Help With Your Accident Claim?
- 02087982590
- info@infiniti-motorgroup.co.uk
-
Unit 12 Barking industrial park,
Alfred’s way, Barking
London IG11 0TJ
Infiniti Motor Group
Why Acting Fast Matters After a Car Accident
If somebody has hit your car, you’re probably feeling stressed and unsure about what to do next. Whether you’ve been involved in a minor bump in a car park or a more serious collision on the road, the steps you take in the first few hours can make a big difference to your insurance claim and your peace of mind.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do when someone hits your car in the UK. We’ll cover everything from staying safe at the scene to protecting your no-claims bonus and getting your vehicle repaired without the hassle.
Acting quickly helps you gather the best evidence, report the incident properly, and start the claims process without delay. The sooner you deal with things, the sooner you can get back on the road. Infinity Motorgroup can help you with your accident claim management, to relieve some of the stress for you, and provide you with professional advise.
Our Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Safety First – Check for Injuries and Hazards
Your safety and the safety of others is the most important thing after any accident. Before you worry about damage to your car or swapping insurance details, take a moment to check that everyone is okay.
What to Do Immediately
- Stop your vehicle – It’s a legal requirement to stop after an accident, even a minor one.
- Turn on your hazard lights – This warns other drivers and helps prevent further accidents.
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries – Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask pain. Pay attention to how you feel over the next few days.
- Check on the other driver and any passengers – If anyone is injured, call 999 immediately.
- Move to safety if possible – If the vehicles can be moved safely and it won’t cause danger, move them to the side of the road.
Important: If anyone is injured, if the road is blocked, or if either driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, call 999 for the police and ambulance service.
Step 2: Gather Information – Driver Details, Insurance, Photos, and Witnesses
Once everyone is safe, it’s time to collect all the information you’ll need for your accident claim. Good documentation at this stage makes everything easier later on.
Details to Collect from the Other Driver
- Full name and contact details (address and phone number)
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Vehicle registration number
- Make, model, and colour of their vehicle
Photos and Evidence to Capture
Your smartphone is your best friend here. Take plenty of photos, including:
- Damage to both vehicles from multiple angles
- The position of the vehicles before they’re moved
- The surrounding area, including road signs, traffic lights, and road markings
- Any skid marks or debris on the road
- Weather and lighting conditions
- The other driver’s number plate (even if they give you their details)
Witness Information
If anyone saw what happened, ask for their name and contact details. Independent witnesses can be very helpful if there’s any dispute about who was at fault. Don’t worry if you can’t find witnesses – many claims are settled without them.
What If Someone Hit Your Parked Car?
Coming back to find your parked car damaged is frustrating, especially if the other driver has left without leaving their details. Here’s what to do:
- Check for a note on your windscreen with the other driver’s details
- Look around for CCTV cameras that might have captured the incident
- Ask nearby shops or homes if they have footage
- Take photos of the damage and the location
- Report it to the police if the other driver hasn’t left their details (this is a hit-and-run)
Step 3: Reporting the Accident – Police, Insurance, and Documentation
When to Report to the Police
You must report an accident to the police within 24 hours if:
- Anyone is injured
- You didn’t exchange details with the other driver at the scene
- You suspect the other driver was uninsured or driving illegally
- The other driver left the scene without stopping (hit-and-run)
- There’s damage to property other than the vehicles involved
You can report an accident at a police station or by calling 101 (the non-emergency number). In an emergency, always call 999.
Notifying Your Insurance Company
Most insurance policies require you to report any accident as soon as possible, even if you don’t plan to make a claim. Check your policy documents for the exact requirements. When you call, have your policy number and all the information you gathered at the scene ready.
Tip: Write down everything you remember about the accident while it’s fresh in your mind. This will help you give a clear account to your insurer.
Step 4: Filing a Claim – Non-Fault Claims, Timelines, and What to Expect
Understanding Non-Fault Claims
If someone else hit your car and they were clearly at fault, you can make what’s called a non-fault claim. This means the other driver’s insurance should pay for your repairs, and your no-claims bonus shouldn’t be affected.
However, proving fault isn’t always straightforward. This is where having good evidence (photos, witness statements, dashcam footage) really helps.
How a Claims Company Can Help
Dealing with insurance claims can be confusing and time-consuming. A professional accident claim management service can handle the entire process for you, including:
- Communicating with all insurance companies on your behalf
- Arranging repairs at an approved bodyshop
- Providing a courtesy car while your vehicle is being fixed
- Chasing up payments and paperwork
- Protecting your no-claims bonus
As a fully insurance-approved bodyshop in Barking, we offer complete car accident management services. We work directly with insurers to make the process as stress-free as possible. Learn more about our Accident Claim Management service
Typical Claim Timelines
Every claim is different, but here’s a rough guide to what you can expect:
- First 24-48 hours: Report the accident to your insurer and gather all documentation.
- 1-2 weeks: Liability (who’s at fault) is usually established.
- 2-4 weeks: Repairs are completed (depending on the extent of damage).
- 1-3 months: Full settlement is reached in straightforward cases.
More complex claims, especially those involving injuries or disputed liability, can take longer.
Step 5: Protecting Your Insurance and No-Claims Bonus
One of the biggest worries people have after an accident is whether their insurance premiums will go up. Here’s what you need to know.
Will My Insurance Go Up If Someone Hits Me?
If the accident wasn’t your fault and liability is clearly established, your no-claims bonus should be protected. However, there are some important points to consider:
- Non-fault claims: Your insurer will recover costs from the at-fault driver’s insurance, so your no-claims bonus should remain intact.
- Disputed liability: If fault is unclear or disputed, your no-claims bonus might be affected until the matter is resolved.
- Uninsured drivers: If the other driver was uninsured, your insurer may pay for repairs and try to recover costs, but this can take time.
- Hit-and-run: If the other driver fled and can’t be traced, you may need to claim on your own insurance.
Tips to Protect Your No-Claims Bonus
- Gather as much evidence as possible at the scene
- Get witness details if available
- Consider getting a dashcam to protect yourself in future
- Use a professional claims company to manage your claim properly
- Check if you have no-claims bonus protection on your policy
Common Questions About Bumper Repair
Somebody hit my car – what do I do first?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
Someone bumped my car in a car park – what now?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
What should I do when someone hits my parked car in the UK?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
Will my insurance go up if someone hits me and it's not my fault?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
Do I need to report a minor accident to the police?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
How long do I have to report a car accident to my insurance?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
Can I choose where my car is repaired after an accident?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
What is a non-fault claim?
Vehicle repairs costs depend on how much damage there is. Minor car accident damage might cost £300-800. Major collision repairs can cost £2000-5000 or more. As approved repairers with leading insurance companies, we work with your insurance claim to minimize your costs. We always give you a free estimate.
Why Choose Us
Stratford's Leading Approved Repairers
Our Stratford centre is manufacturer-approved by major car brands and we’re approved by all leading insurance companies. This means we meet the highest motor repair standards and can guarantee perfect results. Being manufacturer-approved means we use genuine parts and follow official repair methods.
We Use the Best Equipment
We have the latest tools at our Stratford motor repair centre. Our advanced equipment and genuine manufacturer parts help us complete repairs properly using cost-effective methods. We also provide glass services and bodywork for both private and commercial vehicles.
Outstanding Customer Service and Insurance Claims
As approved motor repairers, we work directly with all major insurance companies. Our customer service team handles all your insurance paperwork, photographs the damage, and makes sure everything is processed quickly. We often arrange direct billing to get you driving again faster.
Quick Service with a Quality Promise
We can check most accident damage quickly and start motor repairs straight away. Every repair comes with a manufacturer-approved guarantee – if anything goes wrong with our work, we’ll fix it again for free using proper methods.
Need Help With Your Accident Claim?
- 02087982590
- info@infiniti-motorgroup.co.uk
-
Unit 12 Barking industrial park,
Alfred’s way, Barking
London IG11 0TJ
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