What to Do After a Collision — Step by Step in 2026
A collision is a stressful situation, but the speed and amount of compensation depend on your behavior in the first minutes after the event. The procedure is similar regardless of whether you are the at-fault party or the victim — it only differs in whether you file the claim from your own AC or from the at-fault party's OC. Below is the full sequence of actions, based on Road Traffic Code rules and UFG guidelines.
1. Secure the accident scene
Turn on hazard lights, place the warning triangle at the proper distance (50 m on a road inside a city, 100 m outside built-up areas, 100 m on a motorway). Make sure all participants are safe. If anyone is injured — call 112 or 999 (ambulance) immediately. If the collision blocks traffic and no one is injured, you can move the vehicles off the road after preliminary documentation (photos).
2. When you must call the police
Police must be called when: there are injured or fatalities, the at-fault party is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the at-fault party tries to flee the scene, one participant refuses to sign the statement, or there are doubts about the circumstances. In all other cases (simple collisions, minor property damage, both parties agreeing on fault) a jointly completed accident statement is sufficient.
3. Write the accident statement
The statement form can be downloaded from PBUK or kept permanently in the car's glove box. It must contain: data of both drivers (name, PESEL, driving licence number), vehicle data (make, model, registration, VIN), OC policy numbers and insurer names, date and place of the event, brief description of circumstances, sketch with vehicle positions, signatures of both parties. Also take a series of photos: general view of the scene, damage to both vehicles up close, road signs, brake marks.
4. Report the claim to the insurer
If you are the victim — you file the claim with the at-fault party's insurer (from their OC policy). If you are the at-fault party and have AC — you file with your own company. The reporting deadline is usually 7 days from the event (check exactly in the OWU). You can do this by phone, through a mobile app or online form. Required documents: accident statement or police note, photos, registration document, driving licence, policy details.
5. Valuation and repair
The company appoints an appraiser who assesses damage (in person, online or based on photos). For OC, the insurer has 30 days to decide on payment from the date of report (if circumstances are clear). You can choose the liquidation form: cash in hand (you choose the workshop), insurer's partner garage (no surcharge) or cost estimate (least favorable). If the valuation seems underestimated, you have the right to appeal within 3 years.
What to avoid after a collision
Never verbally admit fault "for the sake of peace" — what's written in the statement is binding. Don't sign documents you don't understand. Don't leave the scene without exchanging data — that's a crime (hit-and-run). Don't agree to settle damage "without policy" for cash — later it's hard to prove the damage occurred at the given place and time, which makes any further claims (e.g. hidden damage) difficult.
Photos from the scene are the most important evidence. Take many, from different angles, with license plates and road signs visible.
newoc.pl