Step 1 Prioritise Safety and Contact Emergency Services

Safety must always come first. If anyone is seriously injured or in immediate danger, call 999 immediately for ambulance and police assistance. Try to stay calm and give the operator clear information about your location, the number of vehicles involved, and any obvious injuries.

For non-emergency collisions, you can use the PSNI non-emergency 101 number or the online collision reporting service instead.

Where a collision causes injury or damage to another person, vehicle, animal or property, Northern Ireland law requires you to:

• Stop at the scene of the accident.
• Remain long enough to provide your details.
• Give your name, address and vehicle registration to anyone reasonably requiring it, including other drivers and the police.

Failing to stop or exchange details is a criminal offence. Even after a relatively minor collision, make sure your vehicle is in a safe position, switch on your hazard lights, use warning triangles if available, and move to a safe location off the carriageway if you can do so without risk.

Step 2 Exchange Details • Without Admitting Fault

Once everyone is as safe as possible, exchange the following with the other driver or drivers:

• Full name and home address.
• Vehicle registration number.
• Insurance company and policy number (where known).
• Contact telephone number.

It is very important that you do not admit fault at the scene, even informally. Apologising or speculating about who is to blame can cause difficulties later on, especially if the full picture is not yet clear. Liability for a road traffic accident in Northern Ireland can be complex, and statements made at the roadside may later be relied upon by insurers or the court.

Step 3 Gather Evidence at the Scene (If Safe to Do So)

Good evidence can make a significant difference to the strength of your claim. If it is safe and practical:

• Take clear photos of all vehicles involved, including registration plates.
• Photograph the road layout, skid marks, debris, traffic lights, junctions and relevant signage.
• Record any visible injuries, such as bruising, cuts or swelling.
• Save any dashcam or helmet-cam footage.
• Note the time of day, weather conditions and anything unusual (for example, roadworks or parked vehicles).
• Politely ask witnesses for their names and contact details.

Insurers and courts in Northern Ireland often rely heavily on photographic and video evidence. Small details captured at the scene can prove invaluable when reconstructing events days or months later.

Step 4 Report the Accident to the PSNI and Your Insurer

When you must report to the PSNI

In Northern Ireland, you must report a road traffic accident to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as soon as reasonably possible, and usually within twenty-four hours, if:

• anyone is injured;
• you were unable to exchange names, addresses and vehicle registration details at the scene;
• you did not produce your insurance details in an injury case; or
• you suspect an offence such as drink-driving or drug-driving.

Reporting promptly helps protect your position and ensures there is an official record to support any future claim. Even where damage seems minor, it is often sensible to seek advice on whether a formal report is required.

Notify your insurance company

Most policies require you to inform your insurer of any collision, even if you are not making a claim or the accident was not your fault. Failure to report within the timescale set out in your policy could jeopardise cover for this and later incidents.

Step 5 Seek Medical Assessment as Soon as Possible

Many road traffic injuries, particularly whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, concussion and psychological trauma, may only become apparent hours or days after the accident. Even if you feel “just shaken”, it is sensible to attend A&E or your GP promptly.

• Your injuries are properly assessed and treated.
• Medical notes are created, which can later support your claim.
• Any deterioration in symptoms can be compared against this baseline.

Medical evidence is essential in valuing a personal injury claim. Our litigation team frequently arrange independent medical examinations for clients to ensure their injuries and prognosis are fully documented.

Step 6 Understand Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident

Under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, you generally have three years from the date of the accident, or from the date when you first became aware of your injury, to issue court proceedings for personal injury. There are different rules for children and those lacking mental capacity, so early advice is important.

You may be able to claim compensation for:

• Physical injuries and pain.
• Psychological symptoms, including anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Loss of earnings and loss of future earning capacity.
• Rehabilitation and treatment costs.
• Travel expenses and care costs.
• Damage to your vehicle and personal property.

If the other driver was uninsured or left the scene, you may still have a route to compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). Our team regularly advise on these claims and on more complex scenarios such as accidents involving uninsured drivers, which we explore in more detail in our insight on handling road traffic accidents with uninsured drivers in Northern Ireland .

For a deeper overview of the claims process itself, you can also read our guide to road traffic accident claims in Northern Ireland , which explains evidence, time limits and how compensation is assessed.

Step 7 Contact Specialist Road Traffic Accident Solicitors Early

Seeking legal advice at an early stage helps protect your position and ensures important evidence is not lost. At Campbell & Haughey Solicitors, we regularly assist motorists, passengers and pedestrians across Belfast, Lurgan, Portadown and throughout the province with:

• A free initial consultation to review what has happened.
• Advice on liability and prospects of success.
• Arranging independent medical examinations where appropriate.
• Assistance in gathering and preserving evidence.
• Negotiations with insurers and representation in court proceedings where required.

Step 8 Why Choosing a Local Northern Ireland Solicitor Matters

Road traffic accident claims in Northern Ireland operate under a different legal framework to England and Wales. Working with a local firm means your case is managed in line with Northern Ireland legislation, practice and court procedure.

• Your claim is progressed through the appropriate local courts, such as Belfast, Craigavon or Lisburn.
• You benefit from our established relationships with local medical experts and counsel.
• You receive practical, realistic advice based on how similar cases are handled in this jurisdiction.

Campbell & Haughey Solicitors have supported clients across Lurgan, Portadown, Greater Belfast and beyond for more than five decades, combining modern litigation practice with the personal service of a trusted local firm.

Step 9 What We Can Do for You After a Car Accident

When you instruct us following a road traffic accident, we will:

• Take full details of the collision and assess who is likely to be at fault.
• Advise you on interim steps, such as vehicle repairs and replacement cars.
• Obtain and review police, medical and engineering evidence where needed.
• Calculate the value of your claim, including future financial losses.
• Handle all communication with insurers so you do not have to.
• Pursue your claim firmly but professionally to achieve fair compensation.

Step 10 Speak to Us Today for Clear, Confidential Advice

If you have been involved in a car accident, whether on a busy Belfast commuter route, on rural roads near Lurgan and Portadown, or anywhere else in Northern Ireland, early legal advice is key. The sooner you speak to us, the sooner we can help protect your position, preserve evidence and explain your options.

You can contact our Lurgan office by telephone, speak to our Belfast team, or send us a message using our secure online enquiry form. We will respond promptly and in confidence.