Road traffic incidents
Have you been involved in a road traffic incident?
A road traffic incident is when a collision involving a vehicle causes damage or injury to as person, another vehicle or property.
If you or someone close to you has been involved in an incident, support is available. This includes incidents where someone has been injured or killed.
How you might be feeling
Being involved in a road traffic incident can be frightening and distressing. Even incidents that appear minor can have an emotional impact.
If the incident was serious, or if someone has died, the effects can be devastating for those involved and for their families.
You might feel:
- Shocked or overwhelmed
- Anxious about driving or being on the road
- Angry or frustrated about what happened
- Upset if you or someone else was injured
- Grieving if someone has died
These reactions are common. Support is available if you would like someone to talk to or need help after what has happened.
Getting the help you need
If you would like information, advice or emotional support, call us on 0800 876 6155. We can listen to what has happened and help you understand what support options are available.
You can get support whether or not you’ve reported what happened to the police.
Specialist support:
Brake – The road safety charity. Provides support to people who have been bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes.
Phone: 0808 8000 401
Reporting a road traffic incident
If you need to report a road traffic incident, the way you do this mIf there’s an emergency or someone is in danger, call 999.
For non-emergency situations, you can call 101.
For minor incidents (damage to vehicles or minor injuries):
Contact the GMP Road Traffic Collision Investigation Unit
Phone: 0161 856 4000
For serious or fatal incidents:
Contact the GMP Serious Collision Investigation Unit
Phone: 0161 856 4741
What to note at the scene (if safe to do so):
- Names, contact details and insurance information of all drivers
- Number plates and make/model of all vehicles involved
- Date, time and weather conditions
- Names and contact details of any witnesses
- Details of any injuries
If it’s safe, you may also want to take photographs of the scene and any damage before vehicles are moved. This information may be useful for your insurance provider and the police.