Road traffic accidents are a daily reality on UK roads – with collisions like the recent Wallisdown Road crash in Bournemouth, reported in the Echo, it shows just how quickly normal life can be disrupted. Even if you’re a careful driver, you can still become a victim because another motorist’s mistake.
If you're involved in an accident that wasn't your fault, here's a simple guide to what you should do - and how our Personal Injury specialists can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Prioritise safety
Your first step after a crash is to check that you and others involved are safe. If there are injuries, dial 999 immediately. Move vehicles out of traffic if it is safe to do so, and turn on your hazard lights. Safety is paramount - both yours and that of other road users.
If you’re unable to move the vehicle or someone is trapped or unconscious, leave everything in place and wait for emergency services.
Gather information
While the scene is still fresh, collect as much information as possible. This will be essential if you need to make a personal injury or insurance claim. Make sure you:
- Exchange details with the other driver(s) - full name, contact number, and insurance information.
- Ensure that you note the vehicle registration numbers of all cars involved.
- Take photographs of the damage, the road conditions, and the overall scene. Include road signs, skid marks, or anything that might explain how the accident happened.
- Speak to witnesses if anyone saw the accident. Take their contact details too, as independent accounts can significantly strengthen your claim.
Report the incident
Even if the damage seems minor, you should always report the incident to your insurer. If you delay, it could affect your ability to claim. You are also legally obliged to report the accident to the police if:
- Someone is injured
- There’s damage to public property (like a lamppost or bollard)
- The other party refuses to give their details
- You suspect the other driver was under the influence or driving illegally
File a report within 24 hours to stay within legal compliance.
Seek medical advice
Many injuries - such as whiplash or soft tissue trauma - may not present symptoms immediately. Visiting a GP or hospital not only ensures your health is checked, but also provides documented medical evidence that is crucial to your personal injury claim.
Delayed pain or complications are common, and early diagnosis can speed up recovery and support your legal case.
Speak to a Solicitor
If the accident was not your fault, you shouldn’t have to suffer financially or physically without redress. Speaking to a specialist solicitor can help you claim for:
- Physical injuries - from minor to serious trauma
- Loss of earnings -if you’ve had to take time off work
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation - including physiotherapy
- Damage to personal belongings - including your vehicle
- Emotional and psychological distress - particularly in more traumatic incidents
At Coles Miller, we offer expert legal advice that is tailored to your circumstances. With No Win, No Fee options available and a friendly, experienced team, we’re here to guide you through every step of your recovery and compensation journey.
Why choose Coles Miller to represent you?
We work on a No Win, No Fee basis: You won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.
- We are a trusted local solicitors firm, with offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Broadstone, Wimborne and Christchurch.
- We have experienced legal experts, with decades of success in personal injury and road traffic accident claims.
- We offer a dedicated personal service, and deal with you directly, not through call centres.
Been in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault?
Whether it’s a crash like the Wallisdown Road collision or a less serious incident, your rights matter - and you deserve to be protected.
Let us help you get your life - and your finances - back on track.
Get expert legal advice from Coles Miller Managing Partner Adrian Cormack, Head of the Personal Injury Department.
Adrian specialises in complex brain trauma cases and other catastrophic injuries that have occurred as a result of road traffic collisions, workplace accidents or medical negligence. He has recovered many millions of pounds worth of damages for his clients.
His many legal victories include a £1 million settlement for a client injured in a serious road traffic accident in 2018. The claimant had suffered a subdural haematoma (a moderate/severe traumatic brain injury), several rib fractures and an oblique fracture through the left hip.
Adrian is a Senior Litigator in the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). He also sits on the Personal Injury Panel at Headway (the brain injury association) and was formerly Chairman of Trustees for 15 years at Headway Dorset. He is based at Coles Miller’s Fleetsbridge office.
