Introduction

A car accident can be overwhelming — even a minor collision leaves many drivers unsure of what to do next. Knowing the right steps to take immediately after an accident is vital for your safety, your claim, and protecting your legal rights.

At Nova Motor Assist, we guide UK drivers through every stage of the post-accident process — from recovery and repairs to replacement vehicles and claims. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident in the UK.

Step 1: Ensure Safety First

• Stop your vehicle immediately — it’s a legal requirement in the UK.
  
• Switch on hazard lights and check for injuries.
  
• Move to a safe place if possible but don’t leave the scene.

👉 Tip: Call 999 if anyone is injured or the road is blocked.

Step 2: Exchange Information

By law, you must share details with anyone involved. Collect:

• Full name, address, and contact number
  
• Vehicle registration number
  
• Insurance company and policy number

👉 Tip: If the other driver refuses, call the police.

Step 3: Gather Evidence at the Scene

The more proof you have, the stronger your claim. Take:

• Photos of damage, road conditions, and vehicle positions
  
• Dashcam footage (if available)
  
• Witness names and contact details

Step 4: Notify Your Insurer (FNOL)

File a First Notification of Loss (FNOL) as soon as possible. This ensures your claim starts immediately and prevents delays.

With Nova Motor Assist, you can report FNOL 24/7. Once you do, we handle:

• Vehicle recovery & secure storage
  
• Replacement vehicle delivery
  
• Repair management

Step 5: Arrange Vehicle Recovery

If your car isn’t drivable:

• Call Nova Motor Assist for 24hr recovery and storage.
  
• Avoid using random tow companies — this may complicate claims.

Step 6: Secure a Replacement Vehicle

Being left without transport isn’t just inconvenient — for taxi drivers, fleet operators, and families, it’s disruptive.

Nova Motor Assist provides like-for-like replacement vehicles through our credit hire service — meaning no upfront cost for non-fault drivers.

Step 7: Repair and Claim Management

Your car will go through repair management with approved UK garages. At the same time, our claims experts handle:

• Communication with insurers
  
• Arranging repair authorisation
  
• Claiming back uninsured losses (ULR)

Step 8: Recover Uninsured Losses (ULR)

If you’ve paid out of pocket for things like:

• Policy excess
  
• Loss of earnings
  
• Alternative travel costs

Nova Motor Assist helps you recover these costs through Uninsured Loss Recovery (ULR).

Conclusion

After an accident, knowing what to do can save time, money, and stress. The steps are simple: stay safe, gather evidence, file FNOL, and let Nova Motor Assist handle the rest.

👉 With our 24/7 accident management service, you don’t need to worry about recovery, replacement vehicles, or complex claims — we’ve got it covered.