Legal Guides

If you do not get the car registration here is what you should do:

Gather whatever information you have about the accident:

Gathering any information you might have in connection with your accident can help with your case. This could include:

• Name and contact details of any emergency service workers at the scene – paramedic/Gardaí.
• Take pictures of damage to your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the accident
• Take a picture of the scene of the accident, from different angles; this will help your solicitor understand how the accident happened.
• Note the road or street name (by reference to house numbers where available)
• If there are any CCTV recordings of the accident, such as CCTV cameras in a nearby shop, for example, you should try to obtain this footage.
• Dash Cam footage – if you have any.
• Record the time and date of the accident.
• Weather conditions at the time.

Get witnesses information

If you need to contact witnesses, gather any addresses or telephone numbers for them. This may be necessary if we need to determine who is liable in a legal dispute.

There is a very good chance that someone else recorded the evidence of your accident. Even if no one nearby captured images or videos of the incident, bystanders may be able to provide you with detailed information you missed, such as which way the driver went after the accident or identifying characteristics about their car.

Report the incident to the Gardaí

Regardless of how minor or serious the car accident was, it is important that you call the Gardaí to report the accident immediately and remain at the scene.

For minor car accidents, the Gardaí may tell you that they will not be attending the scene. It may be a case where you can settle the issue yourself. In this scenario, the appropriate information should be exchanged. In these cases, it is also important that you visit your nearest Garda station to request that they take details of the accident and to take your statement about the accident.

For more serious car accidents, where an ambulance has been called, the Gardaí may arrive at the scene to assess, take statements from the people involved and any witnesses.

Contact your insurance company

If you are the driver of the vehicle involved in a car accident it is legally required to inform your own insurance company, so they have a record.

Speak to a car accident claims solicitor

If you are considering moving forward with a car accident claim for any personal injuries sustained it is advisable that you speak with a car accident claims solicitor as soon as possible. If you are proceeding with a claim, the first step will be submitting your claim to the Injuries Board for assessment. A car accident solicitor can help you in preparing your application to the Injuries Board and ensure that you follow the process in the correct format, meaning that you can move forward with your claim quickly without unnecessary delays.

It is important to remember to keep copies of any expenses that you have incurred as a result of the accident. It is also imperative to retain copies of medical reports or Garda reports, where possible as you will need them when making a claim.