There's been a crash and you've been involved in an accident. The shock is great and you are at a loss as to what to do next. To ensure that you know later what actually happened at this delicate moment and don't forget any details, it is advisable to prepare an accident report at the scene of the accident. We explain how to do this and what you need to bear in mind here.
What is an accident report?
Nerves are on edge after an accident. The vehicle is damaged, you wonder how it could have happened and have to think about all the little things. As the events shortly after the accident are still fresh and have not been distorted by subsequent events or musings, it is advisable to write an accident report at the scene. As the name suggests, this reports on the accident and how it happened. All important data and information about the accident are compiled in the report and recorded for later.
After all, once the initial shock has subsided and you have calmed down, you may find it difficult to remember details or particulars. The report provides clarity and helps you to avoid getting into a dispute with the person who caused the accident or their insurance company.
This is why an accident report, also known as an accident report, is an important part of the procedure after an accident. It not only ensures that fresh details are recorded, but also that there is less hassle with the settlement later on. We are happy to support you and not only take care of communication with the opposing insurance company, but also ensure that your claim is settled as quickly as possible.
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Writing an accident report - why it's so important
Anyone who thinks that an accident report is only for organising your own thoughts and memories is mistaken. This is because the report is regularly used by insurance companies and courts to determine guilt and is an important piece of evidence when it comes to clarifying the question of guilt. That is why it is important that, despite the shock and shock, after a short recovery phase, you prepare a car accident report on the spot and collate the important details of the accident.
This means you are always protected. Even if the person responsible for the accident later wants to blame you or play down their part in the accident. If it becomes clear on site that there are discrepancies, it is advisable to call in the police. Although you do not necessarily have to call the officers in the event of minor damage without injuries, if you and the other party involved in the accident disagree about who was involved and how, it is helpful to get help. This is because the police take on the role of an impartial third party, can secure additional evidence and reconstruct the course of the accident. The officers can also mediate between you and the person who caused the accident and support you in drawing up an accident report.
Accident report: example and contents
There are no fixed guidelines as to what an accident report should look like. However, it is important that it contains usable information for the insurance company and, if necessary, for the courts, and that it describes the incident neutrally and without apportioning blame. It can be helpful to stick to the W questions.
Who is involved in the accident?
Make a note of the personal details of all parties involved in the accident, their licence plate numbers and vehicles. In addition, all occupants of the vehicles, who is the driver and who is the owner, any witnesses and other persons who can say something about the accident and how it happened.
When did the accident happen?
In addition to the date, the time is also important here. Make sure you state this as accurately as possible. This will protect you from the other party in the accident being able to blame you for damage that has already occurred.
Where did the accident happen?
In addition to the most precise time possible, it is also necessary to state the location of the accident. So make a note of the street, intersection or other data on the exact location of the accident.
What happened?
Document what exactly happened and what damage was caused to the vehicles. You should also be precise here so that not only your damage but also that of the person responsible for the accident is recorded in full. This not only secures your claims, but also protects you from the other party in the accident blaming you for older or later damage.
How did the accident happen?
This is where you record how the accident occurred and how the damage mentioned in the previous point was caused. In addition to describing the course of the accident as precisely as possible, you can also include accident sketches and other important aspects that were relevant to the incident.
Accident report example:
Although the W-questions serve as orientation, they also specify what should not be missing in any accident report. The structure of an accident report could look like this, for example:
- Accident location and time
- Specification of property damage (and personal injury, if applicable)
Example: Max Mustermann has pain in his hand, vehicle 1 has a large scratch in the lower right area of the bumper - Personal data such as name, address, licence plate number, vehicle type and insurance - from all parties involved in the accident
- Who was the driver and owner of the cars?
- Any witnesses
- Accident sketch and other relevant details
Example: Vehicle 1 has turned right at the junction, vehicle 2 has stopped because the vehicle in front has not yet moved on
What should not be in the accident report?
As the accident report is a neutral record of the accident, the damage caused and the parties involved, there are some things that have no place in it. This includes any acknowledgement of guilt or apportionment of blame. You should not express these either verbally or in writing.
Assumptions, insinuations or subjective assessments are also taboo, as are false accusations. It goes without saying that you should not lie in the accident report.
Insurers and courts use the report to decide who is at fault and ultimately whether and how much the insurance companies will pay. It is therefore important that they are able to understand the accident and are informed of all the important details - in a neutral manner and without apportioning blame. The description of the accident often already explains who is at fault.
If you agree with the content of the report, sign it and give a copy to the other party involved in the accident. The other party in turn also signs both copies.
What to do if the person responsible for the accident lies or does not sign?
If you do not agree with what is written in the accident report, you should not sign the document. Because once signed, the information contained therein is difficult to correct. Even if it is not true. So never make concessions here and only sign if you agree with the protocol.
If the other party refuses to draw up a report, sign it or provide information about themselves and their insurance, it is advisable to call the police. The police can also draw up an accident report and ask the other party to provide the relevant data. If no agreement can be reached, the police can record this and record the accident details themselves.
Important
Never sign an accident report that you do not agree with. Once you have signed, it is difficult to change the information contained in the report.
Writing an accident report, using a sample?
Although there are no fixed requirements for an accident report, you can keep a template handy in your glove compartment at all times. Not only can you make a note of the most important points on this and thus create a mnemonic, but you can also use a checklist to go from point to point. This makes it easier to fill in despite the shock and shock after an accident and helps you not to forget anything.
Templates for an accident report
There are detailed templates for an accident report, for example from the ADAC, which you can print out and always carry with you in your vehicle. But don't worry: even if you don't have a ready-made form or a printed template with you, you can easily write your own accident report.
Steps towards the best possible claims settlement
Do you have the feeling that the claims settlement for your road accident is complicated? Is the other party in the accident making statements that you don't agree with? We shed light on the situation and help you with our network of specialists to handle the entire claims process.
This is the best way to proceed:
- You can report your accident to us by calling the toll-free number 0800 30 111 60 or simply online.
- An expert from our network will contact you within just 5 minutes to discuss the next steps.
- You take a deep breath and can now lean back, because the specialists from the fairforce.one network will take care of everything else and check your claims after a road accident.
FAQ on the accident report
How can you write an accident report?
An accident report can be drawn up informally and without a template. It should contain the events of the accident, the damage to the vehicles, the parties involved, witnesses and other details about the course of the accident. The easiest way to do this is to answer the W questions of who, when, where, what and how. It is important that an accident report corresponds to the truth and does not contain any accusations, assumptions or subjective impressions. The signature of both parties involved in the accident is also helpful, as it confirms the accuracy of the report.
Important: Do not sign an accident report that you do not agree with and that does not correspond to the truth.
When do I have to write an accident report?
An accident report is not required by law, but is always useful to avoid trouble later on. This is because an accident report not only documents what happened, but also helps insurance companies and courts to assess the question of fault. That's why it always makes sense to draw up an accident report at the scene.
Who has to write an accident report?
Basically only the police. If they are called in, they must record the course of the accident, the parties involved and other details about the accident. If you decide to settle your claim without the police, you should still not do without an accident report. Even if you are not obliged to do so. This is because it not only helps you to record important details promptly, but also helps you to assert your rights later on.
How do you write a car accident report?
There is no fixed requirement for this. However, it is important that all relevant information is included in the report. For example, not only who was involved in the accident and where and when it happened, but also what exactly happened and what damage was caused to people and vehicles.
