Vehicle Advice28 October 2026

Car Accident in South Africa: What to Do Next

After a car accident in South Africa, stop immediately, check for injuries, call emergency services when needed, make the scene safer without putting yourself at risk, exchange details, record evidence and report the crash as required. Do not leave simply because the damage looks minor.

Information checked: 28 October 2026. Motordeal Premium Editorial Desk. General information, not legal or medical advice.

Original Motordeal Premium safety graphic.

What to do immediately after a car accident

Stop. Pull over as safely as circumstances allow, switch on the hazards and apply the handbrake.
Check people before vehicles. Look for injuries. Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire.
Call for help. Dial 112 from a mobile phone for emergencies, or 10111 for police. Give the road, direction, nearest landmark and number of injured people.
Prevent a second collision. If safe, warn approaching traffic. Never stand in a live lane.
Exchange details. Record drivers, vehicle owners, addresses and registration numbers.
Photograph the scene. Capture positions, damage, number plates, licence discs, signs, lane markings, debris and weather.
Report the crash. If details were not given to an officer at the scene, report in person to SAPS or an authorised traffic office within the applicable period.

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Your legal duties under Section 61

Section 61 of the National Road Traffic Act says a driver involved in or contributing to an accident on a public road must stop when another person is killed or injured, or when another person’s property or an animal is damaged. The driver must establish the extent of injuries and damage, provide assistance they are capable of providing, and give identifying and vehicle information when reasonably required.

The Act requires reporting as soon as reasonably practicable and, in the circumstances specified by Section 61, within 24 hours when information was not already supplied to a traffic officer at the scene. SAPS guidance says a crash involving death or injury should be reported within 24 hours, while other reportable crashes should be reported on the first working day. Reporting is done in person, not by telephone or through another person.

Take your driving licence and identity number. Ask for the accident report or reference number and keep it with your photographs, witness details, towing paperwork and insurance correspondence.

Should the vehicles be moved?

If nobody is seriously injured and the cars can move, shifting them out of live traffic may prevent another collision. First take quick photographs if this can be done without entering a dangerous lane. If a person is seriously injured, a vehicle is unsafe, fuel is leaking, or police need to preserve a serious scene, follow emergency-service instructions.

Safety warning: Do not smoke near a crash, touch exposed wiring, open a hot cooling system, crawl beneath an unstable vehicle or approach spilled fuel. Keep passengers behind a barrier where possible.

Information to collect

Full names, addresses and contact numbers of drivers.
Vehicle registrations and the owner’s details if different from the driver.
Driver’s-licence details, without posting them publicly.
Insurer and policy information where available.
Names and contacts of independent witnesses.
Time, exact location, road direction and nearby landmarks.
Photographs or video of damage and the wider scene.
The towing operator’s name, registration and destination.

Stay factual. Do not threaten anyone, speculate about blame or sign a document you do not understand. Tell your insurer what happened promptly and accurately. A calm exchange of details is not the same as accepting legal liability.

Be careful with towing

Unless emergency services require immediate clearance, confirm with your insurer or roadside-assistance provider before accepting a tow. Ask where the car will be stored, what the tow and daily storage charges are, and who authorised the service. Remove valuables and photograph the vehicle before it leaves if safe.

If the vehicle may be uneconomical to repair, wait for the insurer’s position before replacing it. You can later browse our showroom, review finance options or request a trade-in assessment.

What not to do

Do not drive away without stopping and checking what happened.
Do not move an injured person unless immediate danger makes it essential.
Do not stand in traffic to take photographs.
Do not drink alcohol after the crash before required reporting or assessment.
Do not let an unknown towing operator pressure you into signing blank forms.
Do not post faces, licence details or accusations on social media.
Do not repair or dispose of the car before your insurer can inspect it.

A simple glovebox accident kit

Keep a reflective vest, warning triangle, charged power bank, torch, pen, paper and your insurer’s roadside number in the vehicle. A first-aid kit is useful, but only provide care within your training.

Bottom line

People come first: stop, make the scene safer, summon help and avoid a second emergency. Then collect accurate information and report the accident properly. Good evidence and a valid report number can make the insurance and repair process clearer.

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