Uber driver: what to do after an accident in London (2026 playbook)

12 May 2026Easy Car Claims team8 min read

Bottom line: if you're an Uber driver in London and you've just had an accident, what you do in the next hour can make a big difference to how quickly you get back to earning. Save this guide. Pin it in your driver WhatsApp.

In the first 2 minutes: safety and position

Move to a safe spot if the vehicle is drivable and the road is unsafe (for example, a live carriageway). If it's not drivable, switch on hazards and stay in the car if that's safer than getting out.
Check everyone is safe: you, your passenger if you had a fare, anyone in the other vehicle. If anyone is hurt, call 999. Also call 999 if the road is blocked.
End the trip in the app as soon as you're safe, and report the accident through the help section of the Uber Driver app. This creates Uber's own record of the incident.

In the first 10 minutes: exchange and photograph

After an accident involving another person, vehicle or property, drivers must stop and, if asked, give their name and address, the vehicle owner's name and address, and the registration. If you can't do this at the scene, the accident must be reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours. The other driver has the same duties.

Exchange these details (write them down or photograph them):

Full name, address, mobile number
Vehicle registration, make, model, colour
Insurer name and policy number
Driving licence number if you can get it
A photo of their driving licence if they agree

Don't discuss blame. Stick to exchanging details.

Take photos (as many as you safely can):

Other vehicle's plate (clear, close)
Damage to their car
Damage to yours: every panel from several angles
Wide road shot showing the position of both vehicles
Skid marks, debris, glass
Road conditions (wet or dry, lighting, weather)
Road signs and traffic lights nearby

In the first 20 minutes: police and witnesses

Consider calling 101 to report it and get a reference number, even if no-one's hurt. A police report is essential for any MIB application and useful for everything else.

Find witnesses fast. People leave quickly:

Anyone in nearby shops or buses: go and ask
Other drivers in the queue
Pedestrians who saw it happen
Get name, mobile and a one-line voice memo of what they saw

Note CCTV. TfL camera on a lamp post? Bus camera (note route number and time)? Shopfront camera? ATM? Retention periods are often short, so note where to ask.

In the first hour: call us, get a replacement vehicle

PCO drivers can't afford to be off the road. Call 0208 090 8872 (24/7) or get a repair and hire quote online. We can arrange:

Recovery, as quickly as we can
TfL-compliant replacement vehicle, usually within 24 hours, subject to availability. This is a TfL-licensed PHV, not a generic courtesy car
Repair in our own bodyshop

When the other driver was at fault there's nothing to pay up front: we claim our charges from their insurer. The replacement is on credit-hire terms, so you may be liable for the hire charges if they aren't recovered.

In the first 24 hours: admin

Tell your insurer about the accident as your policy requires. Questions about your policy are for your insurer.
Cash offers. Think carefully before accepting a cash offer from the other driver. A small sum may not cover repairs, hire and time off the road, and accepting it may affect what can be recovered later.
Save your Uber statements for the last 12 weeks (Driver app → Earnings → export). Your loss of earnings is your own claim. If you want, the evidence can be passed, with our charges, to the solicitors who handle recovery. They will explain their terms and any fee to you before acting for you.

What we recover from the at-fault insurer

After a non-fault Uber accident in London, we claim from the at-fault driver's insurer, with evidence:

Our repair charges
Our TfL-compliant replacement vehicle hire, for the period reasonably needed
Our recovery and storage charges

Your loss of earnings is your own claim. If you want, the evidence can be passed, with our charges, to the solicitors who handle recovery. They will explain their terms and any fee to you before acting for you.

If the car is written off, the at-fault insurer values it. We provide repair and valuation evidence.

Mistakes to avoid

Accepting cash at the scene. A small cash payment rarely covers repairs, hire and lost earnings.
Driving home in the damaged car. If it's not drivable, get recovery. Driving an unsafe vehicle can be dangerous and may cause further damage.
Posting the accident on social media. Insurers may look at public posts. Keep it offline.

What to do right now (if it's just happened)

Safety, photos, exchange details
Call 0208 090 8872 or get a repair and hire quote
Save your Uber earnings statements
If the other driver's insurer contacts you about our repair or hire charges, you can refer them to us

Questions about your repair or hire?

Call us to talk about getting your vehicle repaired and back on the road.

0208 090 8872