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Home Ireland Been in an accident — what next?

Act now · safety first

Been in an accident — what next?

People first, position second, paperwork third. Once everyone is safe and details exchanged, recovery can move the car and you can get repair quotes with photos.

What you might be seeing

  • Vehicle damaged and possibly undriveable
  • Airbags deployed or fluids leaking
  • Other parties and insurers involved

Do this now

  • Check people first; call 999/112 for any injury, blocked road or dispute
  • Move to safety, hazards on; do not stand between vehicles
  • Exchange names, numbers, registrations and insurers; photograph positions, damage and the scene
  • If undriveable — airbags out, wheels askew, fluids leaking — request recovery to your chosen garage or bodyshop, not just "away"

What to avoid

  • Admitting liability at the roadside — exchange facts, let insurers do their job
  • Driving a car with deployed airbags, leaking fluids or fouling wheels
  • Letting the car be towed somewhere you did not choose

Fix problems like this for a living?

Drivers hit this page at the exact moment they need someone like you. Run a recovery truck or transport business near them? Escargo sends you real local jobs — breakdowns, transport moves and garage work — with the job details, destination and customer contact in one place, and live tracking your customer can see. You control when you are available.

On Escargo, local providers get found by nearby drivers, take bookings against their real availability, receive job details up front, keep the customer updated with live status, and get paid — with every job on one record. Escargo lists only real, verified businesses; pages like this one never show invented providers, prices or ratings.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to call the Gardaí after a crash?

For injuries, blocked roads, disputes, or a party leaving the scene — yes. For minor damage-only bumps with details exchanged, a report may still help insurers; when in doubt, call it in.

Where should the car be recovered to?

Your choice: your usual garage, a bodyshop, or home while insurers assess. Tell the recovery operator the destination — do not default to wherever is nearest.

Can I get repair quotes with photos?

Yes — clear photos of the damage let local bodyshops and garages give initial estimates and tell you whether it is likely economical before the insurer conversation.

Written and reviewed by the Escargo team · Updated 9 August 2026 · Escargo shows real local businesses only — where none is listed yet, the page says so honestly.