Had an accident that wasn't your fault? We can help.

A non-fault accident is one where you are not held responsible for what happened. It does not mean you were passive or absent, it means the evidence points to another party being liable.

Liability is a judgement made on evidence, usually settled between the insurers involved: dashcam footage, photographs, witness accounts, damage patterns and the road layout all feed into it. Rear-end shunts and parked-car damage are usually clear-cut. Junction and lane-change incidents rely far more on footage and witnesses.

Read the full guide to non-fault accidents

1. 1Stop, switch on hazards and make the scene safe before anything else.
2. 2Check everyone involved for injury and call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
3. 3Exchange names, addresses, vehicle registrations and insurer details, this is a legal requirement.
4. 4Do not admit fault or agree a private settlement at the roadside before you know the true damage.
5. 5Photograph everything before vehicles are moved, if it is safe to do so.
6. 6Note the time, weather, road conditions and anything unusual while it is fresh.

Good evidence protects you weeks later, when memories fade and accounts start to differ. Five minutes on your phone at the scene is worth more than anything else you can do.

See the full photo shot list

If details could not be exchanged at the scene, a hit and run, or the other driver left, you must report it to the police, normally within 24 hours. You will be given a reference number; keep it safe.

Separately, most insurance policies require you to notify your own insurer of any incident, even if you do not intend to claim. Notifying is not the same as claiming. Check your policy wording, and be accurate and factual in what you report.

What to do if the other driver drove away

After a non-fault accident there are usually three practical routes. None of them is automatically right, it depends on your policy, the damage and how quickly you need the vehicle back.

SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.

If it is drivable: book an assessment quickly. Damage that looks cosmetic often hides deformed structure, damaged sensors or compromised crash performance. Until it has been inspected, treat “drives fine” as an assumption, not a fact.

If it is not drivable: do not force it. Call us before arranging anything and we can advise on recovery and secure storage, so the vehicle is assessed properly rather than moved around repeatedly.

Never drive a vehicle with airbag warnings, fluid leaks, steering pull, broken lights or anything sharp or loose hanging from the body.

Losing your car is usually the most disruptive part of a non-fault accident. Depending on the circumstances and the route you take, a replacement vehicle may be available while yours is repaired.

Before you accept one, check that it is comparable to your own vehicle, who is providing it, who is responsible for the cost, the insurance and mileage terms, and what happens if the repair runs longer than quoted. Ask before you sign, a reputable provider will answer plainly.

Full replacement vehicle guidance

How a quality repair is actually carried out · Our 5-step process

• Agreeing a cash settlement at the scene before hidden damage has been assessed.
• Driving a vehicle with structural or safety damage because it 'seems fine'.
• Losing dashcam footage because it was overwritten before it was saved.
• Not reporting the incident to your own insurer, even when you are not claiming.
• Accepting a repair without asking what parts, methods and paint process will be used.
• Signing paperwork you have not read or do not understand.