What to Do After a Car Accident? A Complete Guide

What to Do After a Car Accident?

A Step-by-Step Guide

A road accident or fender bender makes your brain go blank. Stress takes over and you forget the basics — we've watched it happen hundreds of times at accident scenes across Silesia and Małopolska.

As professional roadside assistance operators, here are the exact steps you need to take right after an incident. Print this list and keep it in your glove box.

1. Securing the Scene

Your first priority is to protect everyone's life and prevent another collision.

• Stop your vehicle — turn off the engine and engage the handbrake.
• Warn others — turn on your hazard lights and set up a warning triangle:
  • in built-up areas: directly behind the car
  • outside built-up areas: 30–50 m behind
  • on motorways: 100 m behind
• Reflective vest — put it on before exiting the vehicle so other drivers can see you.

2. Assessing the Situation and Calling for Help

Check if anyone is injured. If so, you have a legal obligation to administer first aid and call emergency services at 112 or 999.

When to Call the Police?

You should call the police when:

• there are injuries or fatalities,
• you suspect the other driver is under the influence of alcohol,
• the at-fault party does not admit responsibility.

Tow Truck and Roadside Assistance

If your car is blocking traffic or isn't roadworthy, call roadside assistance: +48 571 426 225

3. Documentation for the Insurer

Even in a minor collision, proper documentation makes the compensation process far smoother. We've seen drivers lose thousands of zlotys because they didn't take photos at the scene.

• Take photographs — of damage to all vehicles, license plates, and an overall view of the scene.
• At-fault party's statement — if the situation is clear-cut, jointly prepare an accident report. You can use:
  • the official government service mStluczka in the mObywatel app
  • downloadable forms (PDF):
    • Polish
    • Polish / English
    • Polish / Ukrainian
• Witness details — note down phone numbers of people who witnessed the incident, if possible.

4. Exchanging Information Between Parties

If there are no injuries and you're not calling the police, remember to exchange basic information:

• driver's full name,
• vehicle registration number,
• OC (liability insurance) policy number and insurer name,
• contact phone number.

5. Filing an Insurance Claim

File the claim as soon as possible with the at-fault party's insurer. Prepare:

• the accident report or police note,
• photographs of damage,
• witness details (if available).

The better your documentation, the faster the compensation payout.

6. Vehicle Repair or Towing

If the car can't be driven, use professional roadside assistance. We offer towing of passenger and commercial vehicles, 24/7 assistance, and rapid arrival at the scene.

Call: +48 571 426 225

Check our towing prices or learn about towing covered by the at-fault party's insurance.

What It All Comes Down To

A road accident is stressful, but if you follow the steps above:

• you keep yourself and others safe,
• you avoid formal errors,
• you get your compensation faster.

If you need help — we're at your service 24/7.

Quick Reference: What to Do Right After an Accident

1. Secure the scene — turn on hazard lights, put on reflective vest, set up warning triangle (50m in urban areas, 100m outside)
2. Check for injuries — if anyone is hurt, immediately call 112
3. Call the police (997 or 112) — mandatory for injuries or significant damage
4. Document everything — photograph damage, vehicle positions, skid marks, license plates
5. Exchange information — name, OC policy number, insurance company, registration number
6. Fill out an accident statement — available on our website or from any insurance company

When to Call Roadside Assistance After an Accident

Call for roadside assistance when:

• The vehicle isn't driveable
• There are fluid leaks (oil, fuel, coolant)
• Tires, suspension, or steering are damaged
• Airbags have deployed
• The vehicle is blocking traffic

Call: +48 571 426 225 — we arrive in 30-60 minutes.

Documents Needed After an Accident

• ID card or passport
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration document
• OC insurance policy or proof of coverage
• Accident statement (completed on-site)
• Police report (if police attended)

Compensation from the At-Fault Driver's Insurance

If the accident wasn't your fault, you're entitled to full compensation from the at-fault driver's OC insurance:

• Towing and parking costs
• Vehicle repair costs
• Rental car during repairs
• Compensation for diminished vehicle value
• Pain and suffering (for injuries)

We help with the entire claims process. Call: +48 571 426 225.