Nobody plans for a crash, so nobody has a routine for one. Here is one you can follow, even when your hands are shaking.
First: people
If anyone is hurt, call 112 straight away and ask for an ambulance and the Gardaí. If the cars can be driven and it is safe to do so, move them out of live traffic. If not, hazard lights on, everyone out, and stand well back from the road, behind a barrier if there is one.
Second: record what happened
While it is fresh, take photos and notes:
- Every vehicle involved, the number plates and the damage
- The road, the junction, any signs, skid marks or debris
- Names, phone numbers and insurance details of the other drivers
- Names and numbers of any witnesses
- The time, the place and the weather
Stick to facts. You do not need to decide who was at fault at the roadside, and it is usually wiser not to discuss it there.
Third: if your car cannot be driven
This is where we come in. Before you ring, think about where the car should go:
- Your own garage or a body shop you trust
- The repairer your insurer prefers, if you are claiming
- Home, if you want time to decide
Then ring us with your name, the registration and the two Eircodes. Tell us whether the car still rolls, steers and brakes, and whether it is electric. We agree the price on the call: a standard call-out from €150, plus €2 per km depending on the destination.
Before the car is loaded, take out your valuables, documents, car seats and anything you will need in the next few days.
Afterwards
Tell your insurer as soon as you can, even if the damage looks small. Keep the photos, notes and any receipts together. If you feel sore later in the day, see a doctor and keep a note of it.
More on our accident recovery page. When everyone is safe, ring 087 116 1102.