What to do after a car accident in Spain

Imagine you are driving along Spain´s sunny coastline, the Mediterranean glistering beside you, or the snowy mountains of the Picos de Europa, when suddenly the car in front of you stops.

No one is seriously hurt, but the situation leaves you shaken and your first thought is: what do I do now?

Accidents happen, even to the most careful drivers. For expats and visitors, understanding what to do after a car accident in Spain isn´t always straightforward. So, before you hit the road, make sure you have the right coverage, like Caser Expat Auto Insurance, and know how to handle the situation calmly and ensure you get all the help you deserve.

1. 1. Stay calm and make safety your priority

The first step after any road accident is to ensure your own safety and that of others. Take a deep breath and switch on your hazard lights. Step out carefully, wearing your reflective vest (in Spain it is mandatory to carry at least one in every vehicle).

To signal your position, turn on your V-16 hazard warning device, a light beacon that will be mandatory starting on January 2026. Until then, you may still carry two warning triangles. These devices will alert other drivers and ensure there are no further accidents.

If anyone is hurt, call 112, the national emergency number, and follow the operator´s instructions until help arrives.

2. 2. Notify the police, exchange details, and fill in the accident form

You should call the Police or Civil Guard (Policía local or Guardia Civil) if:

• Someone is injured or requires medical assistance.
• One of the drivers appears intoxicated or refuses to cooperate.
• There is serious material damage or disagreement about responsibility.
• A hit-and-run occurs.

The police will create an official report, known as the atestado, detailing the facts, witness statements, and preliminary fault assessment. Request the reference number or a copy, as it is essential evidence for any insurance or legal claim.

Drivers involved in the accident must exchange their personal information, including details such as full name, ID (DNI, NIE or passport number), vehicle registration and insurance policy details. Then you must also complete the European Accident Statement, known in Spain as the “Parte Amistoso de Accidente.”

Always check the information carefully and only sign if you agree with everything, this document is crucial when determining liability and processing claims.

3. 3. Seek medical attention

Even if you don´t feel hurt, visit a healthcare centre within 72 hours of the accident. Many injuries, especially whiplash or soft-tissue trauma, appear after several hours or the next day. Ask for a medical injury report, this medical document will be required by your insurer if you later claim compensation.

If you are treated by emergency services at the scene, keep the ambulance report as well.

4. 4. Report the accident to your insurance company

According to Article 16 of the Insurance Contract Law (Ley 50/1980), the legal deadline for reporting a claim to the insurance is seven days, unless your policy allows a longer period.

Send the accident forms, photos, witness details and, if applicable, a copy of the police report. Your insurer will then contact the other party´s company and manage the process, which usually takes place through the Spanish inter-company agreement known as CIDE/ASCIDE. While filing your claim, check whether your policy includes legal-defense coverage, as it can cover lawyer fees if the case goes to court.

Victims have up to one year from the date of injury stabilization or confirmed damage assessment to formally claim compensation.

Once your claim is received, the insurer has three months to make a motivated compensation offer, detailing how the amount was calculated based on Spain´s official Baremo scale. If liability is unclear or the insurer rejects the claim, they must issue a reasoned refusal stating why compensation cannot be offered.

5. 5. Vehicle damage, total loss, and own-damage cover

If your vehicle can be repaired, your insurer will direct you to one of its approved workshops. Caser provides an extensive network of workshops with special services and benefits for Caser policyholders. Repairs done through these workshops are guaranteed, and some policies even include a courtesy car.

If your car is declared a total loss, siniestro total, compensation is calculated according to the car´s market or agreed value, depending on the terms of your policy. Drivers with comprehensive (“all-risk”) insurance can claim compensation even if they were responsible for the accident. In that case, the insurer pays the market value or the pre-accident value agreed in the contract.

How Caser Expat Insurance can help

Accidents are stressful enough, and managing the paperwork, legal terms and phone calls in another language can make things even harder. That is where Caser Expat Auto Insurance steps in, offering guidance and support on exactly what to do after a car accident in Spain.

With Caser, every plan is designed by a team that understands what it means to live abroad and drive in a different country. So, when an accident occurs, Caser provides:

1. 1. Caser Autohelp, a feature that automatically detects the accident and sends you an ambulance without having to call it.
2. 2. Compulsory and voluntary civil liability, to cover the compensation of material damages and/or personal injury that you may cause to a third party.
3. 3. Unlimited medical care in Caser´s designated centres, or reimbursement up to 6.000€ if you decide to attend a private clinic.
4. 4. Coverage of the expenses of hiring a legal defence and the bonds you may be enforced to pay in criminal proceedings.
5. 5. And many more, such as 24/7 roadside assistance, depending on your insurance policy of choice.
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You can also tailor your protection by choosing your preferred level of coverage:

• Third Party.
• Third Party + windscreen.
• Extended Third Party.
  
  

Start by easily calculating your Caser Expat Auto Insurance quote through their online quote tool.

The road to a peace of mind after a car accident in Spain

Road accidents are never planned but knowing exactly what to do after a car accident in Spain can turn a stressful situation into a manageable one. From ensuring everyone´s safety and calling the police when needed, to filling in your insurance report and seeking medical attention, every step matters.

Choosing an insurer that speaks your language, like Caser Expat Insurance, means you will never face the process alone. Whether it is a minor collision or a major incident, you´ll always have the right guidance, legal protection, and personal support to get back on the road quickly and safely.