An accident is stressful. Knowing what to do next doesn’t have to be.

A car accident can happen in seconds, but the decisions you make afterwards can make a difference. 

Beyond checking for injuries and contacting your insurer, there are practical steps that can help protect your safety, support your claim and reduce unnecessary stress. Knowing who to contact, what information to collect and where to find help can make a difficult situation easier to manage. 

While no two accidents are exactly the same, having a clear plan can help you stay focused when it matters most. 

Start with safety 

Your first priority is always the wellbeing of everyone involved. 

If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic and switch on your hazard lights. Check whether anyone has been injured and call emergency services immediately if medical assistance is needed. 

Even in a minor accident, emotions can run high. If you’re unsure what to do, a good rule is not to admit fault or offer to pay privately at the scene. The circumstances of an accident may not yet be clear, and liability is best determined through the appropriate assessment and claims processes. 

Emergency numbers include:  

• 112 – General emergency number from any mobile phone; routes to police, fire, or ambulance.  

• 10111 – South African Police Service (SAPS) for crime or urgent police assistance.  

• 10177 – Ambulance and fire services (public EMS). 

Once everyone is safe, you can turn your attention to the next steps. 

Get the right assistance from the start 

One of the first challenges many drivers face after an accident is arranging assistance. 

In a stressful situation, it can be difficult to know who to call or which towing providers have been approved by your insurer. That’s why access to trusted support is so important. 

Instead of searching for contact details or trying to determine which service providers to use, OUTsurance clients can access Help@OUT through the OUTsurance App, or call one of our trained agents on 08600 70000 providing 24/7 roadside assistance and towing support when needed.  

Having support available from the start helps remove some of the uncertainty that often follows an accident and allows you to focus on what needs to happen next. 

Gather relevant information  

Once immediate safety concerns have been addressed and assistance is on the way, it’s important to gather information and share your details with other drivers and authorities.  

The details collected at the scene can help support your claim. The types of information noted below can be obtained by photographs or in writing. 

Take photographs of: 

• The damage to all vehicles involved 

• Vehicle positions 

• Number plates 

• Road conditions 

• Traffic signs and road markings 

• The surrounding area 

• Any debris or skid marks that may be relevant 

For more on the claims process follow the link: Car Insurance Claims in South Africa Explained | OUTsurance 

Not every accident follows the same script 

Many accident checklists assume a straightforward situation where both drivers remain at the scene and willingly exchange information. 

In reality, some accidents can be far more complex. 

You may be involved in a collision with an uninsured driver. The other driver may refuse to provide information or leave the scene before details can be exchanged. There may also be no witnesses available. 

When circumstances are less clear, gathering as much information as possible becomes even more important. Photographs, vehicle descriptions, registration numbers, dashcam footage and detailed notes can all help support your version of events. 

Even if you cannot obtain every piece of information immediately, it’s important to report the incident and provide your insurer with the information you do have. They can guide you on the next steps and advise what additional information may be required. 

Know where to find important information 

After an accident, even simple tasks can feel more difficult than usual. 

Many people don’t keep emergency contact numbers, policy information or claims details readily available. Knowing where to access this information before an accident happens can save valuable time and reduce stress. 

The OUTsurance App gives clients access to important services in one place, including Help@OUT and the ability to begin the claims process quickly and conveniently. 

Log your claim as soon as possible 

OUTsurance clients can log a claim through the OUTsurance App or contact OUTsurance directly to speak with a consultant. 

When reporting the incident, inform the consultant if you have photographs or any other type of information to share, you will be guided on how to share this information. Prompt reporting also helps ensure that the claims process can begin without unnecessary delays. 

What do you get OUT? 

The moments after an accident can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. 

Knowing who to contact and how to access assistance can make a difficult situation easier to manage. With Help@OUT in the OUTsurance App, clients have access to 24/7 roadside assistance and towing support, as well as a simple way to access important services when they need them most. 

Because when the unexpected happens, what you get OUT is more than insurance. You get support, guidance and peace of mind from the very start of your journey after an accident. 

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