First steps after a road accident

After an accident, safety comes first, followed by recording what happened and notifying the relevant services. The steps depend on whether anyone is injured and the circumstances of the collision.

This is a general guide for residents and visitors in Antalya. Follow the instructions of emergency personnel and the precautions required by the situation.

1. Make the scene safe

Assess the situation without placing yourself, passengers or others in further danger.

• Act calmly: check whether anyone is injured and whether traffic, fire or another hazard poses an immediate risk.
• Moving vehicles: in a property-damage-only collision, vehicles may be moved out of traffic after safely recording the scene. If someone is injured or has died, do not alter the scene beyond necessary safety or assistance measures; follow the authorities’ instructions.
• Warn other drivers: use hazard lights and suitable warning equipment where safe. Do not step into moving traffic to place a sign or take photographs.

2. Notify the authorities and record the facts

Drivers cannot complete a joint accident report in every situation. Call 112 for injury or immediate danger. Police or gendarmerie recording or guidance is needed in situations such as those below; the list is not exhaustive.

• Call the Police/Gendarmerie (In Case of Necessity): In the following cases definitely you need to call the police or gendarmerie:
  • Someone has been injured or killed.
  • A public-sector vehicle is involved, subject to the SBM exception for Ministry of Health ambulances and emergency medical vehicles.
  • A driver has no licence or lacks the appropriate licence category, or a vehicle has no valid compulsory motor insurance.
  • There is suspicion that a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Public property or third-party belongings are damaged, only one vehicle is involved, or the drivers cannot agree on recording the collision jointly.
  • Language support: foreign nationality alone does not require police attendance. Do not sign a document you cannot understand; seek language assistance and clarification from the competent authority.
• Joint report: where there is only property damage, the drivers agree to record the event jointly and no exclusion applies, they may complete a property-damage accident report. Record the facts accurately and keep a signed copy.
• Photographs: from a safe position, record vehicle locations, damage, registration plates and road signs. Do not delay assistance or put yourself at risk to collect evidence.
• Information: exchange the driver, vehicle and insurance details needed for the accident claim. Record witnesses’ contact details where available.

3. Medical assistance and records

If someone is injured, obtaining medical care takes priority over collecting documents.

• Urgent help: call 112 for injury or an emergency and follow the instructions given. Seek medical assessment for symptoms that appear later as well.
• Medical records: keep examination and treatment documents, prescriptions, test results and expense records.

4. Insurance notification and claims

Track insurance notification, preservation of evidence and claim deadlines together.

• Notify the relevant insurer promptly. Identify the correct insurer and documents for the loss and policy involved, and keep proof of notification and delivery.
• Keep an organised file: separate the accident report, medical documents, photographs, contact records and insurance correspondence.

The appropriate next step depends on the accident, the loss, insurance cover and the applicable time limits.