What to do right after a highway accident
Your car has stopped on a fast road and the traffic around you is still moving.
First decide whether it is safer to stay inside your vehicle or to get well clear of it. Base that on where you have stopped, and do it before anything else.
The first few minutes on a fast road
- Turn on your hazard lights straight away.
- Stay belted inside, or move to a safety barrier area, depending on where the vehicle has stopped.
- Place a warning triangle well back from your vehicle if you have one and it is safe to do so.
- Check for injuries, and call for an ambulance without delay if anyone is hurt.
- Stay out of live lanes once you are clear, even to retrieve belongings.
Why highways need a different first instinct
On an ordinary road, getting out to check the damage is the natural first move. On a highway, that can put you in the path of vehicles moving much faster than town traffic. Safety comes first here.
If your vehicle cannot be moved
Leave a vehicle that will not start, or is too damaged to move, with its hazard lights on. Put a triangle behind it if you can, and have everyone get clear of the carriageway. Highway patrols and towing services will deal with the vehicle once they arrive.
Once everyone is safely clear
The same evidence steps apply once the danger has passed: photos, other drivers’ details and a police report. They are covered in what to do after a road accident. Lodging a police report explains what changes when the accident was on a highway.
Thinking beyond the scene
Making a road accident claim explains how a claim works. If you were injured, this is the point where an independent lawyer can take the claim on for you. Send us the accident date, which highway and direction, whether anyone was injured (yes/no), and the police report status.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
Common questions
Should I get out of my car or stay inside on a highway?
If your car is in a position where getting out puts you in the path of fast-moving traffic, staying inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives can be safer. If you can reach the roadside or a safety barrier area without danger, moving there is usually better.
How far away should I place a warning triangle?
Placing it well back from your vehicle gives approaching traffic more time to react, especially at highway speeds. If you do not have one, hazard lights and staying visible matter even more.
Is it safe to try to move an injured passenger?
Only move someone if leaving them where they are creates a greater danger, such as being in a live lane, and only if you can do so without worsening a possible neck or back injury. Otherwise wait for trained help to arrive.
Who do I call first, the highway operator or the police?
Either is reasonable, and many highway operators can also alert the relevant emergency services quickly. If anyone is injured, getting an ambulance moving is the priority, whichever number you call first.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.