ACCIDENTS & EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
For your safety and the safety of others, you should always be prepared to take action in case of an accident and emergency. Some accidents may need you to act fast so please make sure you know the necessary steps. You can find more information about what to do in case of accidents or emergency scenarios on this page.
Please note that one of the key aspects of accident prevention is making sure you follow all the road & traffic safety rules. Please check our Traffic Safety page for more information.
What to do in case of an accident or emergency?​
1. Safety first
The first thing to do in case of accidents or other emergency situations is to always make sure you are safe and then helping others. This means:
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Getting yourself and others (if possible) out of the danger zone. Ask any witnesses to stay at the scene.
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If you’re in a car: turn on the hazard lights, put on a high-visibility vest, and set up a warning triangle.​
​2. Provide Help
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If someone is hurt or injured, provide first aid! Start initial measures (see the picture) to stabilize the person before calling the emergency number. If in doubt, ask bystanders if they can help.
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Call the emergency services. You can reach ambulance and fire services anywhere in Europe by calling 112. The number works without a SIM card, without credit, and even if the phone is locked. The emergency call must include the following information:
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Where is the accident site? (Street, house number, city/town)
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What happened? (Brief description of the emergency situation)
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How many injured persons? (Number of people affected)
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What kind of injuries? (Point out any life-threatening injuries in particular)
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Wait for further questions (Do not end the emergency call on your own)​​
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3. Do you have to call the police?
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Please call the police (in Germany, under Tel. 110), if:
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There are injured people
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There is major property damage
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There is no agreement between the parties involved
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If the other driver leaves the scene of the accident without permission (hit-and-run)
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If a vehicle with a license plate from outside the EU is involved and does not have proof of insurance (e.g., green insurance card)
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4. Document – Collect Your Own Evidence
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Write down the contact details of all parties involved and any possible witnesses.
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Note down witnesses’ addresses.
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Take photos of the accident scene (overview shot, and from the direction of each vehicle, including possible skid marks and vehicle damage). Also photograph reference points such as lampposts, traffic signs, etc.
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Pay attention to traffic!
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In the case of minor damage, clear the accident scene as quickly as possible by moving vehicles to the side of the road.
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5. Exchange Contact Information with the Other Party
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Exchange personal contact details, possibly employer information (for business trips), and insurance details.
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All parties involved should fill out the accident report together. Ideally, you should always keep a blank copy of the form in your glove compartment.​
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You have already received this document by mail. It’s a good idea to keep it in your car or carry it in your wallet when biking, so you have it ready in case of an accident.
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If you happen to lose it, you can always download it again using the link below. However, please note that the link is only useful for preparation — not for use during an accident itself.
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The form can be obtained free of charge from any ADAC office or as a PDF download here.
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The accident report is not an admission of guilt, but a record of the accident’s course to speed up a potential claims process!
​​​The initial action should always be making sure you, other people involved and the accident area is safe. However, please keep in mind that depending on the situation, the exact order of the following actions might change. Always analyse the situation and do what makes the most sense at the time.
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Sometimes, the situation may require you to start helping or stabilizing a person before making the emergency call. If other people are present, ask for support and share the tasks — for example, ask someone else to call 112 while you begin giving first aid.