What to Do After a Minor Road Accident in India

A minor fender-bender rarely causes lasting damage to the car. It often causes lasting damage to your next six months if you handle the first 30 minutes badly. The sequence below minimises both.

Step 1: Safety and triage

1. Check if anyone is hurt. If yes, call ambulance (108).
2. Move both vehicles out of the traffic lane if possible.
3. Switch on hazard lights. Place warning triangle if on a highway.
4. Do not leave the scene — this can be recorded as 'hit and run' even for trivial cases.

Step 2: Do not admit fault

In the moment, emotions are high. Do not say 'it was my fault' even if you think it was. Insurance investigation will determine fault based on facts. Say factual things only: 'I was in this lane, coming from that direction.'

Step 3: Document the scene

• Photograph both vehicles from all angles before moving them.
• Photograph the road, skid marks, signboards, and traffic signals.
• Note the time, exact location, and any CCTV cameras nearby.
• Get the other driver's DL, RC, insurance policy, and phone number. Photograph all four.
• Take contact details of 1–2 witnesses if any.

Step 4: Decide — police report or mutual settlement?

For a truly minor scrape with no injuries and no major damage, a mutual settlement can work — both sides fix their own car and move on. Only do this if:

• Nobody is hurt.
• Damage is visibly cosmetic only.
• Both parties agree in writing — not just verbally. Write a simple paragraph and both sign.

For anything more, file a police report (FIR) at the nearest station. Your insurance will require it for claims.

Step 5: Notify insurance within 24 hours

Most insurance policies require notification within 24–48 hours. Many claims get rejected purely for delayed notification. Call the insurer's hotline from the scene if possible — a pre-approval number and a surveyor visit can be arranged.

Step 6: The surveyor visit

Insurance surveyor examines the car and estimates repair cost. Points to remember:

• Take the car to an authorised (network) garage for cashless settlement.
• Show the surveyor your accident photos — they cannot dispute damage that was photographed at the scene.
• Get the claim number and repair estimate in writing.

Step 7: If the other party is uncooperative

If the other driver refuses to share documents, leaves the scene, or threatens you:

1. Do not chase them.
2. Note the vehicle number immediately.
3. File an FIR with all details and any CCTV you can identify.
4. Call your insurer — they have legal teams that handle non-cooperative counterparties.
5. Call a lawyer for a 10-minute consult if the other side is trying to intimidate you.