A traffic accident has occurred – what to do immediately, how to file an insurance claim, and where to get help
A traffic accident can happen to anyone — even an experienced driver. An unexpected collision at an intersection, a dent in a parking lot, or sliding off the road on an icy surface can cause confusion. Decisions made in the first few minutes affect both people’s safety and the subsequent insurance claim process.
In this guide, we explain step by step what to do in the event of a traffic accident in Estonia, when to call the police, how to complete a traffic accident report and whom to claim compensation from.
Stop, switch on the hazard lights, and assess the situation.
If anyone is injured, call 112 immediately.
Photograph the vehicles, the damage, and the scene.
If possible, use the avarii.ee web application.
When should the police be called in the event of a traffic accident?
In Estonia, the police do not need to attend every minor traffic accident. If no one is injured, all parties are present, and they agree on the circumstances of the incident, the accident can generally be documented without police involvement.
However, there are situations when you need to contact the Emergency Response Centre.
🚨 Helista 112, kui:
- someone has been injured or killed;
- the scene is dangerous or there is a risk of fire;
- the drivers cannot agree on the circumstances of the accident;
- the other party leaves the scene;
- the owner of the damaged property is not present, for example, in the case of a parked car or a fence;
- there is suspicion that a driver is under the influence of alcohol.
When can you document an accident yourself?
If no one has been injured, all parties are present, the circumstances of the incident and who caused it are clear, and the situation is safe, a traffic accident can generally be documented without police involvement. It is not only the extent of the damage that matters, but also whether the incident can be properly documented.
If you are unsure what to do, the situation can be assessed with the help of the official guide of the Estonian Traffic Insurance Fund.
The first 6 steps after a traffic accident
After an accident, a driver may be in shock, and even simple tasks can be forgotten. The following action plan will help you handle the situation calmly and correctly.
1. Stop and ensure safety
Stop the vehicle without creating additional danger, switch on the hazard lights, and wear a reflective vest if necessary. If the situation requires it, place a warning triangle and alert other road users.
2. Check for injuries
Check whether anyone needs help. If there are injuries, call 112 immediately. Provide first aid within your abilities and follow the instructions of the emergency dispatcher.
3. Document the scene
If it is safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles' positions, registration plates, damage, traffic signs and road conditions.
4. Collect the necessary information
Exchange contact and vehicle details with the other parties. Also note the insurer's details and the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
5. Document the accident
If police intervention is not required, fill in the digital traffic accident report at avarii.ee or use a paper form.
6. Notify your insurer
Contact your insurer as soon as possible, ask for instructions and agree on how to proceed with the claim.
Can you move your car after an accident?
If the vehicles are obstructing traffic and the accident can be documented without assistance, it may be necessary to move them. Before doing so, if possible, record the vehicles’ original positions.
⚠️ Important before moving the vehicles
Take photos showing the positions of the vehicles and the circumstances of the collision. If anyone is injured or the situation requires police intervention, follow the instructions of the Emergency Response Centre or the police. People’s safety always takes priority over taking photos.
Traffic accident report – how to document an accident correctly?
A traffic accident report is a document that records the parties involved, vehicles, circumstances and damage. A correctly completed report helps the insurer assess what happened and reduces the risk of future disputes.
Digital report online at avarii.ee
The Estonian Traffic Insurance Fund's web application allows you to document a traffic accident on a smartphone in Estonian, Russian and English. In the application, you enter the details of the incident, add photos and confirm the circumstances.
When the digital notice is confirmed, the accident report is sent to the selected insurance company. The insurer then provides instructions for handling the claim.
You do not need to download a separate app to use the service.
What information must definitely be recorded?
- the date, time, and location of the accident;
- drivers’ names and contact details;
- the vehicles' registration plates;
- insurers’ details;
- description of the circumstances of the accident;
- a diagram showing the positions of the vehicles;
- visible damage;
- the parties’ confirmations regarding the circumstances of the incident.
If a digital notice cannot be used, a paper traffic accident report is also suitable. If one is unavailable, the incident can be properly documented in writing on ordinary paper.
Do not approve a document that you do not agree with
Before signing or confirming digitally, read the report carefully. If the other party describes what happened differently, ask for the information to be corrected. If the disagreement cannot be resolved, call 112.
Insurance compensation after a traffic accident – who should you contact?
Once the accident has been documented, you need to deal with assessing and compensating for the damage. In Estonia, motor third-party liability insurance generally covers damage caused to others through the use of a vehicle. Comprehensive insurance may be necessary to cover damage to your own vehicle.
Motor third-party liability insurance and comprehensive insurance – what is the difference?
Motor third-party liability insurance
Compulsory liability insurance that generally compensates for damage caused to other people and their property. The cost of repairing the at-fault party’s own car is usually not covered.
Comprehensive motor insurance
Voluntary vehicle insurance that may also cover damage to your own car. Compensation depends on the insurance contract, the deductible and the terms of the insured event.
Should you contact your own insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurer?
The injured party can usually contact the insurer of the party responsible for the damage. Under certain conditions, compensation for vehicle damage can also be claimed from the injured party’s own motor third-party liability insurer.
When claiming compensation through your own insurer, there are exceptions arising from the law and insurance practices. For example, this option may not be available if the circumstances of the incident are disputed or the damage is reported more than 30 days after the accident.
💡 How to choose the right insurer?
If you do not know where to submit a claim, contact your insurer or use the LKF guidelines. It is important to submit the claim notification on time and follow the instructions received from your insurer.
What documents might the insurance company need?
- traffic accident report or police incident details;
- photos or videos of the scene;
- details of the parties and vehicles;
- witnesses' contact details, if any;
- repair, medical or other expense documents, if necessary.
The insurer will let you know which additional documents are needed and how the vehicle inspection will be carried out.
What happens if the at-fault party has no insurance or fled the scene?
Sometimes, after an accident, it turns out that the vehicle responsible for the damage does not have valid motor third-party liability insurance, or that the driver has left the scene and cannot be identified.
In such situations, the Estonian Motor Insurance Bureau may handle compensation for the damage. However, the possibility of receiving compensation depends on the specific circumstances.
Important exception in the case of an unknown vehicle
If an unknown vehicle damages only your car and the accident does not involve serious personal injury meeting the conditions set out by law, the LKF may not compensate for the vehicle damage. Therefore, you cannot assume that the fund will automatically cover all damage caused by an unidentified driver.
If the other driver leaves the scene, try to remember the vehicle's registration plate, description and direction of travel, if possible. Notify the police, document the damage and contact your insurer.
5 common mistakes after a traffic accident
Even a minor accident can lead to disputes later. Most problems are easier to prevent at the scene.
A verbal agreement may not be sufficient in the event of a later dispute. Record the accident in writing or digitally and keep the photos.
The vehicles’ initial positions may be important evidence. If it is safe and possible to do so, photograph the scene before moving the cars.
Do not rush to sign. Check whether the description and diagram correspond to the actual situation.
The longer you wait to report the damage, the more difficult it may become to prove the circumstances. The insurer must be notified without delay.
Before starting repair work, ask the insurer for instructions. As a rule, the vehicle’s damage must be kept intact for inspection.
Summary: what should you remember after an accident?
A traffic accident is an unexpected and often stressful situation, but taking the right first steps helps prevent further danger and problems later on.
People’s safety is the most important thing. If anyone is injured or the situation is dangerous, call 112. If there is property damage and the parties agree on what happened, document the accident correctly and gather the necessary evidence.
Photos, a correctly completed traffic accident report and timely communication with the insurer help make the claims process smoother. If you need car repair, diagnostic or other vehicle-related services after an accident, you can also search for service providers on the Easyfind.ee portal.
Frequently asked questions
Stop safely, turn on your hazard lights and check whether anyone has been injured. If necessary, call 112 immediately. Then document what happened and follow the official instructions.
Not always. If no one has been injured, all parties are present, and the circumstances of the accident and who caused it are clear, the incident can generally be documented without assistance.
Use the avarii.ee web application. Enter the parties’ details, a description of what happened and photos, then confirm the notice. After it is submitted, the insurer will provide instructions.
Notify the police by calling 112. Document the damage and, if possible, the other vehicle’s registration number and identifying features, and ask for the witnesses’ contact details.
Generally, no. Motor third-party liability insurance covers damage caused to others. The cost of repairing your own vehicle may be covered under comprehensive insurance.
Ask the insurer for a written explanation and submit additional evidence. The conciliation body operating under the LKF can also be used to resolve motor insurance disputes.
These articles may also be of interest
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Practical advice on assessing a vehicle's history, technical condition, and potential risks.
An overview of motor vehicle tax, the registration fee, and important questions for vehicle owners.
Explore providers of car repairs, diagnostics and other automotive services on the Easyfind portal.
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Each listing works like a small company profile page: you can add a service description, photos, and contact details. Depending on the package, you can also use video, PDF files, special offers, and publish expert articles.
Sources:
Eesti Liikluskindlustuse Fond – Juhtus avarii ·
LKF – What to do when it happens? ·
Handling a vehicle damage claim ·
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace legal or insurance advice. In a specific case, the instructions of the authorities and the terms of the insurance contract must be followed.
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this article. Although the information was checked against public sources, it may change over time due to changes in legislation or insurance practices.