What To Do If You’re in a Car Accident

Car accidents can happen when you least expect them - even to the most careful drivers. In those stressful moments, knowing exactly what to do can make all the difference.

Whether you’ve just been involved in a collision or simply want to be prepared, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to take after a car accident in Ireland. From staying safe at the scene to gathering the right information and managing your insurance claim, we’ll help you stay calm, act confidently, and get back on the road as smoothly as possible.

Immediate Steps After a Car Accident: Your Numbered Checklist 

Knowing what to do in the moments right after a crash can make all the difference. Follow this step-by-step guide to stay calm, handle the situation safely, and protect yourself — both on the road and with your insurer.

1. Stop Safely and Assess the Situation

The first thing to do is prevent any further damage or difficulty. 

Stop the vehicle if it’s still active, and do so slowly and safely. Try to keep composed - an accident is likely to bring about some degree of shock to your system, so try to lower the volume of the situation in your head. 

Take a few deep breaths and carefully assess the situation. The worst part is over, so concentrate on what’s in front of you now. 

2. Ensure Safety at the Scene

Next, make sure that everyone involved in the accident is okay - including you. 

If you have passengers on board, take a moment to speak with them and try to discover what, if any, injuries they may have. 

If another vehicle - or vehicles - was involved in the accident, check on the people there, too.

3. Check for Injuries and Call Emergency Services (if needed)

If anybody is injured, be it minor or major, call emergency services immediately. 

Do not physically move anyone who is badly injured or in pain - this may harm more than it will help. 

Any instance of injury should be thoroughly reported to medical professionals.

To contact an ambulance, dial 999 or 112 from your phone. An emergency medical call taker will provide instructions over the phone, so remain calm, listen as carefully as you can, and give them the information they require - this will likely include your location, a description of the incident, and the people involved. 

4. Exchange Information with Other Parties

In order to avoid awkward or difficult encounters down the line, it’s best to acquire as many relevant details as you can from any other involved parties in the immediate aftermath of an accident. 

The more information you can gather, the better - it will help investigating authorities, and may need to be relayed to your insurance advisor, also. 

With this in mind, follow these steps:

• Be polite, but don’t apologise, admit responsibility, or discuss the details of the accident at the scene with the other driver(s) as this may implicate you in an investigation. 
• To underline the above - even if you believe yourself to be culpable, it is nonetheless better to avoid those acknowledgements. Stay calm, be respectful, but don’t admit fault.
• Provide your name and address to any other party involved.
• Ask for their name and address in return - all parties are legally required to comply here.
• Exchange the name, address, and contact details of your insurance company. 
• Ask the other driver(s) if they are the registered owner of the vehicle involved. 
• If they are not the registered owner, ask who is. 
• Note the make, model, and registration of the other vehicle(s) involved in the incident. 
• Note the details of any injuries that have taken place on either side. 
• Also take a note of anyone who says they aren’t injured. 
• Are there witnesses at the scene? Take down their name, address, and contact number. 
   

5. Document the Scene Thoroughly

If possible, carefully take clear photographs of the damage caused to all vehicles involved - be meticulous here; where the damage is located, and how severe it is. 

Take photos of the position of the cars on the road after the collision - this is of vital importance as it can help determine precisely who was responsible. 

Take note of the date, the time, weather conditions, light conditions, and the state of the road after the accident took place. 

6. Report the Accident to a Garda Síochána (if required)

As the Gardaí note, there are various types of road traffic collisions, ranging from superficial damage to fatalities. 

If you feel the need to contact An Garda Síochána, be advised that only serious road accidents or incidents where an offence has been disclosed require you to call them. 

You are legally required to report an accident if there are injuries or significant property damage, or if a driver fails to stop. 

If this is the case or if you are unsure, you can contact the guards on 999 or 112. 

If a Garda asks, you must give your name and address, the address where the vehicle is kept, the vehicle registration number, and evidence of its insurance details. 

7. Notify Your Insurance Company 

Next up, it’s time to contact your insurance provider to notify them of the event.

This is critical, and at AIG Ireland we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. You must notify your insurance company of the accident even if you aren’t planning to make a claim, or if you intend to pay for the damage to the other vehicle yourself - it is possible that the other party involved may make an insurance claim of their own regardless. 

Here’s what your insurance company will ask of you: 

• Your policy number. 
• Or your name, address, and car registration number. 
• The registration numbers of any other vehicles involved. 
• The name and contact details of other driver(s), passengers, and/or witnesses. 
• The insurance details of the other driver(s). 
• Any photographs you have taken at the scene. 

Understanding Your Car Accident Claim

When it comes to car accident claims, especially when still trying to make sense of what just happened, it can be a bit overwhelming. 

Let’s clarify any potential confusion and outline what to do and how to easily do it.

Initiating Your Car Accident Claim with AIG Ireland

As we’ve mentioned, auto accident claims are best notified to your insurance company as promptly as you can manage in order to ensure the smoothest possible process. 

Our AIG Motor Claims Service is available to take your call 24/7 on 01 8599 700, or you can visit our online claim portal.

Once you’ve reached out to AIG Ireland, we can make a note of any urgent details reported from the accident site. Early reporting also enables us to provide you with support and advice that relates to your immediate situation. 

Next, you’ll need to provide documentation - our motor vehicle accident form is the quickest and cleanest way to proceed here. 

Details can include a completed claim form, photographs of relevant damages, and any receipts to cover out-of-pocket expenses. Disclose any additional costs you may have incurred, such as towing costs. 

Be sure to mention if you have received medical treatment, also. 

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once the above form has been completed and submitted - and where our comprehensive cover applies - our approved repairer network can be availed of, allowing for repairs to commence right away. 

If our approved repair network is not used in relation to your car crash claim, you are advised to obtain an estimate - and provide us with those details immediately so we can appoint an assessor if necessary. You are free to appoint your own independent assessor, though this will naturally be at your own expense. 

Speaking of the assessor, their job is to carry out a physical inspection of your vehicle so they can evaluate the extent of the damage - this ensures that any and all damages are accounted for, and that any subsequent coverage corresponds with policy terms. 

The involvement of an assessor can also speed up the settlement process. If you encounter additional damage after the initial assessment, inform your assessor. 

Once the damage has been fully assessed, AIG will make a settlement offer - this is based on your policy coverage and the final repair estimates. This may take the form of a direct payment or an arrangement with the repair facility. 

If you’re unsure about any of the settlement terms, our customer service can provide clarity - contact 0818 244 244 to speak with an agent. 

Your settlement can vary based on factors including policy type, deductible, and other claim details - so it’s good to have a strong understanding of your specific policy in advance.

After you accept the settlement offered, you may then arrange for the vehicle repairs to be carried out. AIG may cover costs directly with the repair provider, or reimburse you based on the receipts you have submitted. 

Once the repairs are complete, it is imperative to verify the quality of the work - AIG works only with certified providers to guarantee safe and reliable restoration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Ireland (FAQ)

Do Car Accident Claims Go to Court? 

The short answer is that it’s uncommon, though it can happen. 

Research unveiled in the summer of 2025 illustrated that over 70,000 claims relating to road traffic accidents in Ireland were submitted during the six-year period between 2019 and 2024, with over €284 million saved in legal fees by claims being resolved through the Injuries Resolution Board process instead of through litigation.

This would suggest the majority of car accident claims ultimately avoid a day in court, though as noted, this is not a cast-iron guarantee that your situation will follow suit.

In any event, AIG Ireland’s comprehensive car insurance will pay for solicitor’s fees for representation at any coroner’s inquest or fatal accident inquiry or court of summary jurisdiction. 

It will also cover reasonable legal costs for defending a charge of manslaughter or reckless driving causing death.

What Happens If You Don’t Report a Car Accident? 

If you are involved in a serious car accident that results in severe injuries and/or fatalities, you are legally required to report this to emergency services. 

Failure to do so can lead to major consequences from both a legal and insurance standpoint. 

Didn’t Take Pictures of a Car Accident - What Now?

Though a lack of photographic evidence can make things trickier, it doesn’t necessarily rule out a successful insurance claim. 

Try and write down a detailed account of everything that happened in the accident and at the scene so there’s no discrepancy in your memory of events over time. 

Other documentation such as witness statements, a Garda report, or repair bills may be enough to support your account, but it’s definitely worth contacting your insurer directly for clarity. 

Essential Items to Keep in Your Car?

It’s a good idea to populate your car with some unique helpful things that you may find yourself thankful for in the event of an emergency. 

Consider having the following to hand: 

• Pen and paper
• Fully charged phone
• Disposable camera (in case of any problems with your phone camera)
• Warning triangle
• Hi-vis vest
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Blanket 
• Water
• Proof of insurance

For more answers, visit our Car Insurance FAQs.

AIG Ireland: Here to Help When You Need Us Most

Filing a car insurance claim in Ireland doesn’t have to be a daunting and exhausting experience. 

Remember, AIG is here to support you, answer your questions, and make the claims process as straightforward as possible. If you need to file a claim, start your car insurance claim here.

If you have any further questions or would like more information on car insurance, contact AIG today to learn how we can help. We aim to provide a hassle-free claims experience and be there for you when it matters most.