A car accident, what to do?
3 important tips for all those involved in an accident
When it crashes, those involved in the accident are usually in shock, after all, this is not an everyday situation. Now it is important to keep calm and concentrate on the facts in your interest and in the interest of all road users.
1. Secure the accident site
Switch on your hazard lights, put on your safety vest, set up a warning triangle. If necessary, you will provide first aid.
2. Alert help
In the event of accidents with injuries, always dial 112. You can also report accidents on the motorway directly via an emergency call box, which ensures the automatic localisation of your location.
3. Document the accident
Prepare an accident report that is signed by all parties involved in the accident. The easiest way to do this is to fill out the European Accident Report. In any case, you should note the following things:
- Official license plates of the vehicles involved in the accident
- Names and addresses of the drivers involved. Tip: Ask to be shown the identity documents
- Insurance company and number of the insurance policy of the other party in the accident
- Place and time of the accident
- Names and addresses of witnesses
- Draw an accident sketch
- If possible, photograph the accident site from different vantage points.
Important: Do not make an admission of guilt.
Report the accident to the insurers
In order to get the accident damage paid quickly, the driver should contact the motor vehicle liability insurance of the other party in the accident directly - so he does not have to wait for the other party to report the damage.
The quickest and most convenient way is to report the damage to the Zentralruf der Autoverversicherungen while still at the scene of the accident. There, all data is recorded and forwarded to the responsible insurer.
This is how you can reach Zentralruf – around the clock, 365 days a year and free of charge
Telephone (within Germany): 0800 – 250 260 0 Telephone
(from abroad; Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.): 0049 (40) 300 330 300
Internet: Simply use the online inquiry form to determine the opposing motor vehicle liability insurance.
Tip: Zentralruf also helps motorists if the insurance of the other party involved in the accident is not known.
Another tip: Report the damage immediately, but no later than within a week, to your own motor vehicle liability insurance, even if you believe that the other party is responsible for the accident. Many insurers now offer their customers mobile claims services.
What other insurances play a role after an accident?
Remember that motor vehicle liability insurance is not the only one to cover the consequences of accidents. Depending on the state of affairs, you may want to keep an eye on your other policies:
- Comprehensive insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Statutory or private health insurance
- Legal protection insurance
- Letter of protection from car insurers
- Private accident or pension insurance
- Statutory pension or accident insurance
- Driver's own damage insurance
Accident recording with or without police?
If you have an accident in which no one was injured and only minor damage was caused, then the accident can also be recorded without the police. In these cases, your insurer does not require a police accident investigation to settle the claim.
A report drawn up by you and the other party in the accident should contain the same findings as a police report. The best way to do this is with the European Accident Report.
In these cases, you should always call the police:
- Alcohol or drugs are involved
- People were injured
- the accident was probably faked
- the course of the accident is disputed or unclear.
Accident with a foreign vehicle
Accidents in Germany in which the person responsible for the accident is insured abroad can be reported to the German Green Card Office. In any case, make a note of the opposing insurance company and the insurance number. The Green Card Office commissions the responsible German claims adjuster, usually an insurance company that settles the claim under German law.
Which insurance pays after an accident?
The motor vehicle liability insurance of the person who caused the accident covers the damage of the other party in the accident. In contrast to motor vehicle liability, taking out comprehensive insurance is voluntary. Comprehensive insurance covers the costs of repairs to your own car. The repair costs are reimbursed in each case, and in the event of a total loss, the replacement value minus the residual value of the vehicle.
Accidents abroad
Every insurer in Europe has appointed claims representatives in each EU member state. For example, if you are the victim of a traffic accident in Italy, you can contact the claims representative of the Italian insurance company in Germany.
The injured party can find out who this is from the central call of the car insurers on the free service number (0800) 2502600. Callers from abroad can reach Zentralruf at +49 (40) 300330300. This service is valid for all countries of the EU and the European Economic Area, as well as for Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
If the claims representative of the foreign insurer does not respond within three months, the injured party can contact the national compensation body. In Germany, this is the association Verkehrsopferhilfe based in Berlin.
In the event of a hit-and-run, traffic victim assistance helps
If the motor vehicle liability insurance of the person who caused the accident cannot be determined because he or she has left the scene of the accident without permission, or if the damage was caused intentionally or the vehicle that caused the accident was not insured, please contact: Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V.