Motorists: what steps should be taken in the event of an accident?

In an accident with your vehicle, you must complete a European accident report, also called amicable statement, which will facilitate the declaration on the basis of which your insurer will determine liability and calculate compensation.

Material accident

The finding allows you to specify the information about the circumstances of the accident that will determine the responsibility of the drivers involved.

You have to fill in the front of the vehicle (the "record" part) at the accident site with the other driver. You can also attach photographs. The reverse (declaration part) can be completed later, individually by each driver.

Each person shall keep a copy of the finding after completing the common part.

Once completed, you must send the statement to your insurer, by hand, by mail, or through the broker, within 5 working days of the accident.

Special cases:

• If the accident involves more than one vehicle, you have to make a note with the driver of the vehicle that preceded you and another note with the driver that followed you.
• If the other driver refuses to complete the statement (for example, if he is not insured) or to sign the statement amicably, you must record the registration number of his vehicle. Try to get the testimony of those who witnessed the accident or the intervention of a police officer or gendarme. Complete the finding by indicating the other driver's refusal. Use the

  Comments

  on the front of the statement.
• If the other driver absconds after the accident, note down his license plate number and contact the police to report the incident and file a hit-and-run complaint. Complete the finding by indicating the leak of the conductor in the part

  Comments

  . Whether the finding is signed or the opposing party has refused to do so, you must inform your insurance company and send it the finding within 5 days working days.

Accident body

If a person was injured in the accident, the police or gendarmerie must be notified in order to secure the accident site, draw up a report on the circumstances of the accident and record the identity of any drivers involved, passengers, pedestrians and witnesses.

Even if the authorities have drawn up a report, you must report the accident to your insurer, with the amicable report in paper version.

If you are injured, you must have a medical certificate issued by the hospital or a doctor specifying your personal injury and send it to your insurer asking for a provision on compensation for your personal injury. If you experience pain later, seek medical attention as soon as possible and report it to your insurer.

The e-statement

You can also use under certain conditions the e-statement free app (available via Google Play or App Store) to complete your report on your smartphone. This e-statement has the same legal value as the paper statement and allows faster processing of the case by the insurer.

You can use e-findings instead of paper-based findings only:

• if the accident takes place in France (mainland France or French overseas departments);
• if the accident concerns vehicles registered and insured in France;
• if the accident does not involve more than 2 vehicles;
• if the accident did not cause any bodily harm (no injuries).

Once completed, you must check the information. A summary is sent to you before the e-statement is signed and sent to the insurance. If you agree, you sign it with your finger on the screen of your device and then it is sent electronically to your insurer. At the same time, you will receive a confirmation SMS of your e-report entry and a PDF version of your report in your mailbox.