In the event of an accident

The Protect - Alert - Assist method

Faced with an accident, these three steps are always done in this order. There is no point treating an injured person if you both risk being hit by an oncoming car: you protect first, you alert next, you assist last.

1. Protect: secure the scene

The absolute priority is to avoid a secondary accident, that is, a second collision at the crash site. To do this, warn other road users of the danger and get yourself to safety.

1. Switch on your hazard warning lights immediately to warn the traffic.
2. Put on your retro-reflective safety vest before getting out of the vehicle. It must be carried on board and kept within easy reach.
3. Place the warning triangle at a sufficient distance before the accident, to give drivers time to react. On a motorway, allow about 100 m.
4. If possible and safe to do so, clear the carriageway and switch off the ignition of the damaged vehicles.

2. Alert: call the emergency services

The European emergency number is 112. Free and reachable from any phone (even without credit and without a SIM card), it connects you to the fire brigade and medical assistance. For the police only, you can also dial 101.

Stay calm and give the operator clear information. Never hang up first: the operator ends the call.

• The exact location: road, number, direction of travel, kilometre marker on a motorway.
• The nature of the accident: number of vehicles, rollover, fire, hazardous substance.
• The number and condition of the victims: conscious, bleeding, trapped, etc.
• The dangers present: traffic, smoke, power line, spilled fuel.

3. Assist without making things worse

Everyone involved must provide assistance, within the limits of their ability. The golden rule of first aid is to never worsen an injured person's condition.

While waiting for the emergency services, a few simple actions can make a difference without any risk to the victim:

• Talk to the victim and cover them to keep them conscious and protect them from cold or shock.
• Apply pressure to a heavily bleeding wound with a clean cloth, without letting go.
• If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position to prevent choking.
• If they are not breathing, perform chest compressions if you know how; the 112 operator can guide you over the phone.

The European accident statement

When an accident has only caused material damage, with no one injured, the drivers fill in the European accident statement together. This document does not assign blame: it describes the facts for the insurers. Fill it in calmly and at the scene.

• Note the date, time, exact location and any witnesses.
• Exchange contact details and insurance information (policy number, number plate).
• Draw the sketch of the accident and tick the boxes matching the circumstances.
• Both sign and each keep a copy. A signature does not amount to an admission of liability.

Hit-and-run: a serious fault

Every driver involved in an accident is obliged to stop and remain at the scene to identify themselves and allow the facts to be established, whether they believe they are at fault or not. Fleeing is a hit-and-run offence, severely punished, even when there is only material damage.