If you’re reading this on your phone at the roadside, take a breath. You’re in the right place.
Somebody hit my car, what do I do? It’s the question racing through your mind right now, and the steps you take in the next few minutes genuinely matter. This guide is designed to be read quickly, giving you a clear action plan while everything is still fresh.
First: Is Everyone Safe?
Before anything else, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Adrenaline can mask pain, so take a moment to properly assess how you’re feeling.
If anyone is injured:
- Call 999 immediately
- Don’t move injured people unless there’s immediate danger
- Turn off engines if safe to do so
- Turn on hazard lights
If everyone is okay:
- Move vehicles to a safe position if possible (but photograph their positions first)
- Turn on hazard lights
- Place a warning triangle if you have one
Exchange Details – Don’t Skip This
By law, you must exchange certain information with the other driver. Get these details before anyone leaves the scene:
- Full name and address
- Vehicle registration number
- Insurance company name and policy number (if they have it to hand)
- Phone number
- Make and model of their vehicle
Important: You’re legally required to provide your details too. Refusing to do so is an offence, regardless of who was at fault.
If the other driver won’t cooperate or seems aggressive, don’t escalate the situation. Note down their registration plate and as much detail as you can, then step away and call the police on 101.
Document Everything Now
Your phone is your most valuable tool right now. Before vehicles are moved or damage is cleaned up, capture as much evidence as possible:
- Photos of all damage to both vehicles (multiple angles)
- Wide shots showing vehicle positions and the surrounding area
- Close-ups of any paint transfer or debris
- The other driver’s number plate
- Road conditions, weather, and any relevant signage
- Skid marks or broken glass on the road
Take a short video walking around the scene if you can—this captures context that individual photos might miss.
Get Witness Details
Look around. Did anyone see what happened? Witnesses can be invaluable for car claims, particularly if there’s any dispute about fault later.
Ask any bystanders if they’d be willing to provide:
- Their name and phone number
- A brief account of what they saw
- Whether they’d be prepared to provide a statement if needed
Even partial witnesses—people who saw the immediate aftermath—can support your version of events.
Do NOT Admit Fault
This is crucial. Even if you think you might have been partly responsible, do not apologise or admit fault at the scene.
Why? Because in the stress of the moment, you might not have the full picture. There could be factors you’re not aware of—a defective traffic light, the other driver’s speed, or something they did that you didn’t see.
Stick to exchanging details and documenting evidence. Let the claims process establish what actually happened.
Stop Before You Call Your Insurer
Here’s where most drivers make a costly mistake.
Your instinct is probably to phone your insurance company straight away. But doing so—even for an accident that wasn’t your fault—can have consequences you might not expect:
- You may still have to pay your excess upfront
- Your premium could increase at renewal, even for non-fault claims
- The process can drag on for weeks while insurers negotiate
- You might be pushed towards their approved repairers rather than choosing your own
There’s a better route, especially when somebody else hit your car.
Call an Accident Management Company First
Accident management specialists exist specifically to handle situations like yours. Here’s how they’re different from going through your own insurer:
What they do for you:
- Handle the entire claims process on your behalf
- Recover all costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer—not yours
- Arrange repairs with quality bodyshops (not just the cheapest option)
- Provide a like-for-like courtesy vehicle while yours is being fixed
- Chase everything so you don’t have to spend hours on hold
Why this protects you:
- No excess to pay
- No impact on your No Claims Bonus
- Typically faster resolution than insurer-to-insurer negotiations
- You stay in control of where your car gets repaired
For non-fault accidents, there’s genuinely no downside to using this route—and a lot of potential headache avoided.
When You Must Involve the Police
You’re legally required to report the accident to police within 24 hours if:
- Anyone was injured
- The other driver didn’t stop or refused to give details
- You suspect the other driver was under the influence
- There’s damage to property other than vehicles (lampposts, walls, etc.)
For minor collisions where details were exchanged and no one was hurt, police involvement isn’t necessary—but you can still report if you want an official record.
Your Quick-Reference Checklist
Save this to your phone for future reference:
- ☐ Check everyone is safe
- ☐ Move to safety and turn on hazards
- ☐ Exchange names, addresses, registrations, and insurance details
- ☐ Photograph everything—damage, positions, surroundings
- ☐ Get witness names and contact numbers
- ☐ Do NOT admit fault or apologise
- ☐ Call an accident management company before your insurer
- ☐ Report to police if required (injury, hit-and-run, property damage)
What Happens Next?
Once you’ve followed these steps, the hard part is over. If you’ve contacted an accident management specialist, they’ll take it from here—liaising with insurers, arranging vehicle collection, and keeping you updated throughout.
You’ll get your car repaired properly, a courtesy vehicle to keep you on the road, and—most importantly—peace of mind that your No Claims Bonus stays intact.
Need help right now? Contact our accident management team for immediate support. We’ll handle everything from here.
