My First UK Car Accident Ever: What I Learned and What You Should Always Do

A few days ago, I experienced my very first motor incident in the UK. I am fine, thank you for thinking about me 😆 . It was just after school pick-up, my kids were in the car, and I was driving carefully as usual. I approached a roundabout from the left lane, while cars on the right lane were making those quick, risky decisions you often see, the ones where they assume the car on the roundabout won’t hit them.

I never base my driving on their gamble. I rely on my own judgment. If I see it’s safe, I go. If not, I wait. That day, I chose to stay. But the driver behind me must have assumed I’d take the same risk as the car on the right, and he accelerated straight into me.

It happened so quickly. One moment, I was checking for safety; the next, I felt the impact. My kids didn’t even realise what happened, which was a relief. They were fine, and that’s why I’m grateful for one of the most basic rules of driving: always wear your seatbelt, even for short trips.

The man who hit me was elderly, clearly shaken, but he pulled over, too. Luckily, my car had a dashcam, and that gave me an advantage: I could immediately save the footage of the incident. That was the very first thing I did.

Here’s exactly what I did step by step and what you should always do if you ever find yourself in a motor incident:

What To Do After a Motor Incident

1. Save dashcam footage immediately (if you have it). Use your car’s dashcam feature or any external dashcam to secure proof on the spot.
2. Signal and park safely. Indicate before pulling over and switch on your hazard lights. Check your passengers first, make sure everyone is safe.
3. Take photos and videos. Capture your car’s damage, the other driver’s car, and the overall scene. Make a short video to confirm both cars were present at the scene in case the dashcam footage fails.
4. Offer help if needed. The other driver was elderly and in a state of shock. I asked if he needed an ambulance before moving forward.
5. Exchange details thoroughly. Don’t settle for just a phone number. Collect:

• Full name and surname

• Address

• Email address

• Insurer details

6. Inform insurers quickly. 

Why This Matters

Not everyone will stop, cooperate, or even admit fault. Some might drive off or deny everything. That’s why documenting everything on the spot is so important.

I’ve always prided myself on being a careful driver, and yet, even with all my caution, this happened. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. The best thing you can do is to always be prepared. Drive safe, buckle up, and remember these steps; they might save you a lot of stress and tears.

For more information, click Collisions and Incidents.