What to Do If You’re Involved in an Accident: A Guide for Commercial Drivers

At Direct Commercial, our approach is simple: Don’t Delay, Report Today. Early reporting allows us to step in quickly, protect you from rising claims costs, and keep your business moving. 

At the Scene: Stay Safe and Gather Information 

Your safety always comes first. If it’s safe to do so: 

• Move to a safe location and switch on hazard lights 

• Call the emergency services if anyone is injured or the road is blocked 

Once safe, collect as much information as possible, including: 

• The name, phone number and vehicle registration of the third party (or use our DCL Bump Cards to exchange the right information) 

• Photographs of vehicle damage, the scene, and road conditions 

• Dash‑cam footage details, if available 

When drivers are proactive at the scene, this helps reduce disputes later and supports faster liability decisions. 

Report the Incident Immediately 

One of the most important steps after any incident is early notification. All incidents - even minor bumps - should be reported as soon as possible, ideally from the roadside or within 24 hours. 

For serious incidents, early legal involvement can help protect your rights, preserve legal privilege, and ensure important evidence is handled appropriately from the outset. 

Early reporting allows our in‑house claims team to: 

• Begin liability investigations straight away 

• Take action before costs escalate 

• Manage recovery, repair and hire costs more effectively 

• Reduce the risk of unnecessary credit hire charges 

This is why we always say: Don’t Delay, Report Today. 

After the Incident: We Take Control 

Once your claim is logged, our experienced claims team will guide you through the next steps. We work proactively to: 

• Offer cost-effective, police approved recovery solutions 

• Arrange repairs through our approved repair network which helps reduce delays 

• Liaise directly with third parties and their representatives 

Early intervention leads to lower overall claim costs and a smoother experience for drivers and fleet managers alike. 

Accidents happen. What matters is what you do next. 

 
Move quickly. Get the details. Call us straight away. When you don’t delay, we don’t either - stepping in early to control claims, cut costs and keep your business moving.