Been in an Accident?
Stay calm, prioritise safety and collect the right information. Follow our practical accident checklist and contact Recova if your vehicle needs professional recovery.
What to Do Immediately After an Accident
Your safety and the safety of other road users should come first. Do not remain in an unsafe position to photograph damage or inspect a vehicle.
Call 999 where someone is in danger, has been seriously injured, a serious offence may have occurred or the collision is causing a dangerous road obstruction.
The Eight-Step Accident Checklist
1. Stop Safely
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and activate your hazard warning lights where appropriate.
2. Check for Injuries
Check yourself, passengers and other people involved. Contact the emergency services where necessary.
3. Move to Safety
Where it is safe and permitted, move away from traffic and do not stand between damaged vehicles or in an exposed carriageway position.
4. Exchange Information
Obtain names, addresses, vehicle registrations and insurance information from the other parties.
5. Record the Scene
Take photographs of the vehicles, damage, road layout, signs, markings, debris and surrounding conditions without putting yourself at risk.
6. Find Witnesses
Ask independent witnesses for their names and contact details.
7. Report the Incident
Inform your motor insurer even when you do not intend to claim under your own policy.
8. Arrange Recovery
Do not continue driving where the vehicle has unsafe bodywork, wheel damage, fluid leaks, warning lights or steering problems.
Details You Should Exchange
Following an accident involving damage or injury, drivers may be required to provide their name, address and vehicle registration. The vehicle owner’s details should also be supplied where the driver is not the owner. When details are not exchanged at the scene, the accident must be reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours. Motorists must also report the accident to their insurer even if they do not plan to make a claim.
Collect The Following
- Driver’s full name
- Driver’s address
- Telephone number
- Vehicle registration
- Vehicle make and model
- Registered keeper’s details
- Insurer’s name
- Policy number, where available
- Witness details
- Police reference number
Photographs to Take
- Overall accident scene
- Every vehicle involved
- Close-ups of damage
- Vehicle registration plates
- Final resting positions
- Road signs
- Traffic signals
- Lane markings
- Skid marks or debris
- Weather and visibility
- Relevant property damage
Do not edit the original photographs. Keep copies of dashcam footage because some devices overwrite old recordings automatically.
Should You Drive the Vehicle?
Do not drive where you suspect:
- Wheel or tyre damage
- Steering damage
- Suspension damage
- Fluid leakage
- Broken lighting
- Loose or sharp bodywork
- Airbag deployment
- Warning messages
- Overheating
- Damage affecting visibility
Contact Recova with the vehicle registration, location and photographs where available. We can assess whether accident recovery is required.
What Not to Do
- Do not put yourself in danger to collect evidence
- Do not become confrontational
- Do not speculate about injuries
- Do not exaggerate what happened
- Do not sign an agreement you have not read
- Do not accept promises of a “completely free” replacement vehicle without understanding the terms
- Do not allow several companies to progress the same claim
- Do not dispose of relevant evidence
Need Vehicle Recovery Now?
Whether you’ve broken down, been involved in an accident or need a vehicle transported, Recova is ready to help. Call our team now for fast, professional vehicle recovery across Burnley, Lancashire and the surrounding areas.
