Road Accident in London: What to Do Next

Immediate Steps at the Scene

The first minutes after a collision are the most important. Adrenaline makes it easy to make mistakes — particularly agreeing to things verbally or leaving the scene before you have the information you need.

1. Stop and switch on your hazard lights

   You are legally required to stop after any collision involving injury, damage to another vehicle or property, or an animal. Turn on hazard lights immediately to warn other traffic.

2. Check for injuries — call 999 if anyone is hurt

   Check yourself, your passengers and anyone else involved. If there are injuries, call 999. Do not move injured people unless leaving them in position creates immediate danger.

3. Move vehicles only if it is safe and legal to do so

   On a busy London road, a stopped vehicle can cause secondary accidents. If no one is injured and it is safe, consider moving to a side road. On a motorway or dual carriageway, move to the hard shoulder or emergency refuge area.

4. Exchange details with the other driver

   You are legally required to give your name, address and vehicle registration to anyone who has reasonable grounds to request them. Collect the same from the other driver. Do not apologise or admit fault.

5. Do not accept informal settlements at the scene

   Agreeing to settle without involving insurance is almost always a mistake. You cannot know the full extent of vehicle damage or injuries at the scene. Decline politely and stick to the formal process.

Gathering Evidence Before You Leave

Once everyone is safe and details have been exchanged, photograph and document as much as you can before vehicles are moved or conditions change.

• Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, showing damage and positions relative to road markings
• Photograph skid marks, debris, broken glass and anything else on the road surface
• Photograph road signs, lane markings, traffic lights and junctions in the area
• Note the exact time and location — use your phone’s map app to drop a pin
• Take the names and phone numbers of any independent witnesses
• Note traffic conditions, weather, visibility and lighting
• Check for nearby private CCTV cameras on buildings, petrol stations or shops
• Check for public council CCTV cameras on lampposts or overhead gantries
• Note any nearby JamCams camera name and URL if a feed may be relevant

When and How to Report to Police

You must report the accident to police within 24 hours if: anyone other than yourself was injured; you could not exchange details at the scene; the other driver could not or would not provide insurance details; property other than the vehicles was damaged; or an animal was involved.

In London, report to any Metropolitan Police station or via the Met’s online reporting tool. Ask for a crime or incident reference number — your insurer will need this.

Notifying Your Insurer

Most insurance policies require you to notify your insurer of any accident, even if you do not intend to make a claim. Failing to report can invalidate your policy. Contact your insurer as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Tell them: the date, time and location; what happened in factual terms; the other driver’s details; witness information; whether police were involved; and the extent of damage and injuries.

Do not admit liability to your insurer. Let them assess fault based on evidence. If you are contacted by the other driver’s insurer directly, you can direct all contact through your own insurer or a solicitor.

Camera Footage: What Exists and How to Get It

After an accident, many drivers wonder whether a nearby traffic camera caught what happened. The honest answer is more complicated than most people expect.

JamCams (TfL traffic cameras)

JamCams are low-resolution traffic management cameras operated by TfL. They display live feeds only — neither JamCams.co.uk nor TfL keeps continuous recordings. Even if a JamCam was nearby, the footage may not have been retained, the resolution may be too low to be useful, and clips are typically only a few seconds long. Full details are in our dedicated guide: Can you get CCTV footage from JamCams?

Private CCTV

Shops, petrol stations, restaurants and offices near the scene often have their own CCTV at higher resolution. Approach the business directly and ask them to preserve footage — act within 24 to 48 hours as businesses routinely overwrite footage on short cycles.

Your dash cam

If you have a dash cam, this is almost certainly your most valuable footage evidence. Secure it immediately. Our guide to the best dash cams for London drivers explains what features matter most for evidence quality.

London-Specific Considerations

Red Routes and parking restrictions

Stopping on a Red Route may attract a penalty charge notice from TfL. If you receive a PCN following an accident, you can appeal with evidence of the collision. Our guide to PCN appeals in London covers the process.

Congestion Charge and ULEZ

If your vehicle is towed and held overnight inside the Congestion Charge Zone or ULEZ area, you may accumulate daily charges. Contact TfL promptly to explain the circumstances — TfL can waive charges in documented accident situations.

Hit and run accidents

If the other driver left the scene without stopping, report to police immediately. If the vehicle is untraced and uninsured, you may be able to claim compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau Untraced Drivers scheme.

Tunnels

Accidents in the Blackwall Tunnel, Rotherhithe Tunnel or other managed tunnels are handled by TfL’s tunnel operations team in coordination with police. Follow the emergency procedure signs and do not walk through the tunnel. Emergency phones are located at regular intervals. Check live tunnel conditions on JamCams Blackwall Tunnel cameras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to call the police for a minor accident in London?

Not necessarily — if no one is injured, all parties can exchange details, and no uninsured vehicles are involved, there is no legal requirement. However, if you cannot exchange details, if there is any injury, or if the other driver is uncooperative, you must report within 24 hours.

What if the other driver drives off?

Note the registration number, make, model and colour immediately. Call 999 if anyone is injured. If no one is hurt, call 101 or use the Met’s online reporting tool to report a failure to stop.

Can I claim if the other driver has no insurance?

Yes. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau exists specifically to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. Claims can be made at mib.org.uk. You will need a police report reference number.

What if I hit a parked car and the owner is not there?

You must leave a note with your name and contact details on the other vehicle, and report the incident to police within 24 hours. Driving away without doing so is a criminal offence, even if the damage appears minor.