The PCO Driver's Accident-Scene Checklist

What you do in the ten minutes after an accident can make a big difference to how quickly you get back on the road.

This is the checklist we wish every PCO driver had taped to their dashboard. Save it, screenshot it, share it with your driver groups.

Before You Get Out

• Hazard lights on
• Engine off if safe to do so
• If anyone is hurt, call 999
• If you have an Uber/Bolt rider in the car, check on them

The First Two Minutes

• Get to a safe spot if traffic is moving
• Don't argue with the other driver
• Avoid discussing who was to blame; stick to exchanging details
• Don't agree to "sort it privately" without getting full details
• Stay calm and professional: your dash cam may be recording

Information to Get From the Other Driver

• Full name (check against ID if possible)
• Phone number
• Address
• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle make, model, colour
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Driving licence number (ask, but they don't have to give it)

If they refuse to give details, photograph their registration plate and call the police on 101.

Photos to Take

• Damage to your vehicle (every angle)
• Damage to their vehicle (every angle)
• Both registration plates clearly
• Wider scene: road layout, lane markings, signs
• Skid marks or debris on the road
• Traffic signals or signs relevant to who had right of way
• The other driver's face (only if they consent)
• Weather and lighting conditions

Use your phone's video too. A 30-second walk-around video captures more than stills.

Witnesses

• Get a name and phone number from anyone who saw it
• Ask if they'll provide a written statement later
• Note vehicles that drove past: their dash cams may have recorded it

Even one independent witness can make a real difference if the other driver disputes what happened.

Police: When to Call

If anyone is hurt, call 999.

Also call 999 if:

• The road is blocked
• The other driver is aggressive or impaired
• The other driver leaves the scene

Call 101 (within 24 hours) if:

• The damage is significant
• The other driver refuses to give details
• You suspect the other driver was uninsured

Get a crime reference number. You'll need it for any MIB application if the other driver was uninsured or can't be traced.

Your Rideshare Passenger

If you had an Uber or Bolt passenger:

• End the trip in the app at your current location
• Mark "accident" as the reason if the option appears
• Ask if they're willing to share contact details as a witness (the apps anonymise them after the trip ends)
• If anyone is hurt, call 999

A passenger's account can be useful evidence.

Before You Leave the Scene

• Make sure the other driver has your details too
• Check the car is safe to drive: fluid leaks, tyre damage, lights working
• If it's not driveable, call us for recovery. Don't drive a damaged vehicle
• Record a voice memo of what happened while it's fresh
• Don't post about it on social media

Within 24 Hours

• Call us about recovery, repair and a replacement vehicle (our line is open 24/7)
• Tell your insurer about the accident as your policy requires. Questions about your policy are for your insurer
• Save dash cam footage: many cameras overwrite within days
• Write down a detailed account of what happened
• Update your availability on Uber/Bolt if the car is off the road

What to Avoid

• Driving away if you've hit a parked car without giving your details to the owner, or reporting it to the police within 24 hours if you can't (this is a criminal offence)
• Accepting cash at the scene: it rarely covers the cost of repair and hire
• Posting photos of the damage publicly
• Letting the other driver lead the conversation

Save This

Screenshot this page. Email it to yourself. Pin it in your driver WhatsApp group. The drivers who get back on the road fastest are usually the ones who knew what to do in the first ten minutes.

Need recovery from the scene? Call 0208 090 8872.

This checklist is general information, not legal advice. If anyone is hurt, call 999.