Collision? Here's what to do in the first 10 minutes

A collision often happens faster than you can think, and the first minutes afterwards determine both the safety on the scene and how smooth the insurance claim will be. Below you will find a practical "10-minute plan" you can follow, with specific advice on notifying, documenting, filing a claim, and when to involve the police. (We are in 2025, but remember that details may vary between insurance companies and situations.)

0–2 minutes: Stop, breathe and secure the scene

Priority 1 is always life and health. Before you start discussing fault or looking for insurance papers, make sure you and others are safe.

1) Turn on hazard lights and assess if the car needs to be moved

Turn on hazard lights immediately. If it is safe and possible, assess whether the car should be moved out of the lane to prevent further collisions. In some situations, it is right to leave the vehicles as they are (for example, in case of personal injury or if moving them makes the situation more dangerous). Use common sense and safety as your compass.

2) Put on a reflective vest and get people to safety

Put on a reflective vest before you go outside. Get passengers and those involved away from traffic, preferably behind the guardrail or at a safe distance from the road.

3) Signal with the warning triangle when it is safe

Place the warning triangle so that other drivers have time to react. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has advice on traffic safety and what is expected of drivers in various situations, see Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

2–4 minutes: Check people and call 113 if needed

Quickly go through: Is everyone okay? Check both your own passengers, the other party and any pedestrians/cyclists involved.

• Call 113 if there is suspicion of personal injury, pain in the neck/back, head injury, unconsciousness, or if you are in doubt.
• Provide basic first aid if you can, but avoid moving the injured unless there is an immediate danger (fire, risk of collision, etc.).

If emergency services are needed, it is still wise to have Police as a reference for general advice on emergency numbers, when the police should be contacted, and what applies in accidents.

4–6 minutes: Clarify whether the police should be contacted

Not all minor fender benders require police on site, but in some situations, it is important to notify.

Contact the police when for example there is

• Personal injury or suspicion of personal injury
• Disagreement about the sequence of events, aggressive behavior, or you feel unsafe
• Impaired driver (alcohol, drugs, very unstable driving)
• Significant traffic hazardous situation or the need for direction
• Damage to third party (fences, guardrails, signs) or public property
• Other party leaves the scene (hit and run)

Updated contact points and advice can be found at Police. In case of immediate danger: call the emergency number.

6–8 minutes: Document before you move anything (if it is safe)

When everyone is safe, good documentation is often what separates a tidy settlement from a time-consuming he-said-she-said.

Take these pictures (1–2 minutes may be enough)

• Overall pictures showing both cars and their position in the roadway
• Close-ups of damages to both vehicles
• Pictures of signs, road markings, intersections, traffic lights and visibility conditions
• Pictures of tracks (brake tracks, glass, plastic parts) if relevant
• A picture of driver's license and vehicle registration (with consent)

Note what is easy to forget

• Time and exact location (preferably GPS location)
• Weather and road conditions
• Witnesses: names and phone numbers
• What was said (brief and objective), especially if someone admits fault at the scene

Tip: Avoid discussing fault in grand terms at that moment. Stick to facts and documentation.

8–10 minutes: Fill out the damage report together with the other party

As soon as safety is ensured and you have documented, the next step is to put together a joint damage report. It should be filled out while you are still on the scene because details and sketches become more accurate when the situation is fresh.

This is what you should always exchange

• Name, address, phone number
• License plate number
• Insurance company and policy number (if available)
• Driver's license class (if needed) and who actually drove

Sketch and description that the insurance company understands

A simple sketch with arrows, lanes, and the position of the cars can be the "gold" in a later assessment. Write briefly about what happened, without speculation. If you disagree, note the disagreement in the damage report and let the documentation speak for itself.

Make it easy to agree on one version

Here is where many stumble: one fills out, the other takes a picture of a paper, and then different versions are submitted. Skademeldinger.no is created precisely to avoid this, allowing you to fill out the same damage report together, obtain a joint version, and sign digitally on-site. This way, both parties have the same basis, and the damage report is ready to be shared with the insurance company.

Common types of collisions and what is often decisive

Insurance assessments typically revolve around right of way, distance, speed adaptation, and observation. Here are some typical situations where documentation matters a lot:

Rear-end collision

This often concerns sufficient distance and attention. Pictures of brake tracks, traffic situation, and any obstacles can be relevant.

Collision at intersection or roundabout

Signs, markings, and where on the car the damage is, often become decisive. Take pictures of the entrance, yield signs, and which lane you were in.

Reversing in a parking lot

Here it quickly becomes he said-she said. Witnesses, CCTV (store/garage), and a precise sequence of events in the damage report are extra important.

After the first 10 minutes: Here's how to follow up smartly

Once the acute situation is handled, the rest of the job follows. If you do this on the same day, you often save time and frustration.

Report the damage to the insurance company quickly

Most companies want the damage reported as soon as possible. Use the damage report, attach pictures and witness information. Remember that terms and deadlines may vary between companies and coverages.

Arrange for repairs and mobility

If you have comprehensive/partial coverage or other coverages, you may be entitled to roadside assistance, a rental car, or transport while your car is being repaired. Check your insurance terms and any affiliated workshops.

Bonus, deductible, and liability

How a collision affects bonus and deductible depends on the assessment of liability and your coverage. Generally, liability damage to the other party will be handled through liability insurance, while damage to your own car often falls under comprehensive (if you have it) or must be covered privately. For industry information about insurance and claims, you can read more at Finance Norway. For practical advice to drivers in everyday life, NAF is also a useful source.

Checklist you can save on your phone

• Secure the site: hazard lights, reflective vest, warning triangle, get people to safety.
• Check injuries: call 113 if necessary, do not move injured people without reason.
• Consider the police: personal injury, disagreement, impairment, hit and run, dangerous situation.
• Document: overall, close-ups, signs/markings, witnesses, timestamp.
• Damage report: fill out together, be fact-based, sign and share.

That's why it pays to fill out the damage report then and there

When you are at the scene, you have access to everything that makes the damage report precise: damages, location, signs, witnesses, and fresh memories. Many cases drag on because the damage report becomes incomplete, or because the parties submit different versions. With Skademeldinger.no, you can create one joint damage report, sign digitally and share it without extra rounds – a simple step that often leads to a tidier settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I always have to have a paper form in the car?

No, it is not an absolute "must", but you must be able to provide the insurance company with the necessary information. Digital solutions make it easier to ensure that both parties have the same content.

What if the other party refuses to fill out the damage report?

Then you should still document as well as you can (pictures, witnesses, license plate numbers) and report the damage to your insurance company. Note that the other party did not wish to cooperate. In the case of an unsafe situation or conflict: contact the police.

What if I am hit by a foreign car?

Request insurance information (green card if available) and document very carefully. Your insurance company can guide you on the further process.

Finally: These are general tips for the first minutes after a collision. In serious incidents or personal injury: always follow the instructions of the emergency services. Insurance terms and practical handling may vary between companies and situations.