Black ice is one of the scariest things a driver can face in a British winter. It is a thin, clear layer of ice that looks just like a wet road, so most people do not know it is there until the car starts to slide. One moment you are driving normally, and the next your steering feels light, the brakes do nothing and you are heading towards a kerb, a wall or another car.
If that has just happened to you, try not to panic. This guide explains what to do after a car accident in the UK when ice is to blame, who is usually at fault, and how to get your car checked and repaired so it is safe to drive again.
Why black ice causes so many accidents
Black ice usually forms when the temperature drops close to freezing, often early in the morning, late at night, or after rain on a cold day. It is most common on bridges, shady roads, country lanes and junctions where cars have polished the surface smooth.
The real problem is grip. The Highway Code warns that on icy roads, stopping distances can be up to ten times longer than on a dry road. That means a gap that feels safe in summer is nowhere near enough in January. The Highway Code rules on driving in icy and snowy weather also point out that when you are driving on ice, your tyres make almost no noise, which is a handy warning sign to listen out for.
What to do straight after a black ice accident
Your safety comes first. Switch on your hazard lights and, if your car can still be driven and it is safe, move it out of the way of other traffic. Be very careful when you get out, because if your car slid on ice, the ground you are stepping onto is likely to be just as slippery. Check yourself and anyone with you for injuries, and call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
Once everyone is safe, start gathering evidence. Take photos of every car involved, the damage, the number plates and the road itself. With an ice accident, the road surface is a very important part of the story, so try to capture any frost, ice or lack of grit, along with the time of day. Ice can melt within an hour or two, so the photos you take at the scene may be the only proof of what the road was really like.
Swap names, phone numbers, addresses and insurance details with any other driver involved, and ask any witnesses for their contact details. Stay calm and polite, but do not say sorry or admit it was your fault, even if you feel bad. Fault on icy roads is not always as simple as it looks, and the insurers will decide it later.
If someone is injured, or the other driver drives off without giving their details, you must report the accident to the police within 24 hours. You should also tell your own insurer about the accident, even if you do not plan to claim. Our full guide on what to do immediately after a car accident in the UK goes through these first steps in more detail.
Who is at fault in a black ice accident?
Many drivers think that if ice caused the crash, nobody is to blame. Sadly, that is not usually how insurers see it. Because the Highway Code tells drivers to slow down, leave a much bigger gap and drive with extra care in winter, a driver who slides on ice is often treated as being at fault for not adjusting to the conditions.
That said, every accident is different. The table below shows some common black ice situations and how they are usually handled.
| What happened | Who is usually at fault | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| You slid on ice and hit a kerb, wall or post, with no other car involved | Usually you, as the driver | Claim through your own insurer, or pay for the repair yourself if the damage is minor |
| You slid into the back of another car | Usually the driver behind, as they should have left a bigger gap | Tell your insurer and swap details with the other driver |
| Another driver slid on ice and crashed into you | Usually the other driver | You may have a non-fault claim, so your repairs and courtesy car should be covered by their insurer |
| You were parked and a sliding car hit yours | Usually the other driver | Collect their details or look for witnesses and CCTV, then start a non-fault claim |
| An ungritted council road played a big part in the crash | It depends, and these claims can be hard to win | Take photos of the road quickly and get advice before making a claim |
These are general examples rather than legal advice. Your insurer will look at the full details, including your speed, the gap you left and the photos from the scene, before deciding who is to blame.
If another driver hit you, you do not have to sort the claim out by yourself. Our accident claim management service deals with the other driver’s insurer for you, arranges recovery if your car cannot be driven, and helps keep you on the road with a courtesy car while the repairs are carried out.
The hidden damage black ice can leave behind
A lot of black ice accidents happen at low speed. A car slides gently into a kerb or bumps another car in a queue, and the driver sees only a small scuff and decides to leave it. The trouble is that a hard knock against a kerb can do far more damage underneath than you can see on the outside.
Hitting a kerb sideways can bend a wheel, knock the tracking out of line or damage the suspension. If your car feels different after a slide, such as the steering wheel sitting off centre or the car drifting to one side on a straight road, take it seriously. Our guide to a car pulling to one side after hitting a kerb explains what can cause this and why it should be checked quickly.
Bumpers can also hide damage. Modern bumpers have parking sensors, brackets and crash absorbers behind them, and these can crack even when the outside looks fine. Getting the car checked properly after any ice slide is the safest choice, especially in winter, when you need your car to grip and stop as well as it possibly can.
How to lower your chances of a black ice accident
The best accident is the one that never happens. Before you set off on a cold morning, check the weather forecast and ask yourself whether the journey really needs to happen. Clear all the ice and snow from your windows, mirrors, lights and roof, so you can see properly and nothing slides off onto other drivers.
On the road, drive slowly and smoothly. Use a higher gear than usual, accelerate gently and brake softly and early, well before you reach a bend or junction. If the car does start to slide, try not to slam on the brakes or yank the steering wheel, as sudden movements make a skid worse. Keep a much bigger gap than normal from the car in front, and remember that bridges and shaded roads can stay icy long after the rest of the road has thawed.
It also helps to keep your tyres in good shape. Worn tyres have far less grip in cold, wet and icy weather, so checking your tread depth before winter starts is time well spent.
Get your car checked after an icy slide
Whether your car has a scuffed bumper, a dented panel or feels odd to drive after sliding on ice, it is worth having it looked at by a bodyshop that knows what to look for. At Infiniti Motor Group, we are a fully insurance-approved bodyshop, and we check for the hidden damage that is easy to miss, not just the marks on the outside.
If the accident was not your fault, we can handle the whole claim for you, from recovery to repairs and a courtesy car. Call our team on 020 8798 2590, or visit us at Unit 12 Barking Industrial Park, Alfred’s Way, Barking, London IG11 0TJ. We help drivers across Barking, East London and Essex get back on the road safely this winter.