Car emergencies

Know what to do before the adrenaline arrives.

Road incidents are exactly when a short, familiar sequence is more useful than a long article. These cards put the immediate actions first, with printable references you can keep in the car.

Immediate danger or serious injury?Call 999 or 112. Do not use this site instead of emergency services.

UK quick-action guidance

Quick action

What has happened?

Open the closest match. Each guide follows the same rhythm: safety → help → details → aftercare.

Emergency card

Collision / crash

Safety first. Help second. Details last.

Open quick steps → Emergency card

Breakdown

Get off the road. Be seen. Keep people away from traffic.

Open quick steps → Emergency card

Motorway breakdown

Get left. Get safe. Get help.

Open quick steps → Emergency card

Vehicle fire

Stop safely. Get everyone out. Get well away. Call 999.

Open quick steps → Emergency card

Flood water

Do not drive through flood water. If caught, prioritise getting people to safety.

Open quick steps → Emergency card

Witnessed collision

Help without becoming another casualty.

Open quick steps →

The roadside sequence

Safety first. Help second. Details last.

After a collision or breakdown, people often jump straight to photographs, insurance or the damaged vehicle. The safer order is simpler: stop the danger getting worse, get help when it is needed, then collect the information you will need afterwards.

01Protect peopleTraffic, fire, flood water and unsafe positions come before paperwork.

02Get helpUse 999/112 when there is immediate danger, serious injury or an unsafe road situation.

03Record factsLocation, registrations, people, witnesses and references — only when safe.

04RecoverInsurer, breakdown recovery, medical follow-up and replacing used kit.

Relevant gear

Car emergencies gear, grouped by purpose.

Products are grouped by the job they do, so you can move from understanding the subject to the right equipment type without browsing an unrelated catalogue.