Former detective's advice after head-on crash: 'Don't say sorry' and five other steps to take

Rebecca Mason, a former Surrey Police detective who now advises on criminal matters for BBC's Morning Live, says there are six essential things drivers should do if they are involved in a collision — and the first is not to apologise. Mason reached that conclusion after a head‑on collision this summer in which an older driver who suffered a medical episode swerved into her lane.

Mason said the crash was sudden and disorienting: she heard a huge bang and was unable to move immediately. Two men at the roadside helped get her out of the vehicle, and she was taken to hospital for scans. She sustained cuts and bruises but escaped more serious injury. Mason said the witnesses at the scene were crucial; without them she would not have known the other driver had experienced a medical event while driving.

1. Prioritise safety and medical needs. Move to a safe place if the vehicle and traffic conditions allow, but do not move anyone who appears seriously injured unless there is an immediate danger, such as a fire. Switch off engines, turn on hazard lights and, when appropriate, call emergency services. Mason emphasises that even if injuries seem minor, professional assessment is important — she was taken to hospital for scans despite not feeling severely hurt.

2. Call the correct services. Dial 999 if there are injuries, danger to life or if the scene requires urgent attention. If there are no injuries and no immediate danger, drivers should still exchange details and consider reporting the incident to the police later if circumstances warrant. Local non-emergency police numbers and guidance from insurers can direct the next steps.

3. Do not admit fault or apologise. Mason and police guidance warn that saying “sorry” can be interpreted as an admission of liability. Immediate statements about responsibility should be avoided while focusing on safety and assistance. Witness accounts and objective evidence are often necessary to establish what happened.

4. Record the scene. Take photographs of vehicle positions, damage, registration numbers, road signs, skid marks, traffic signals and any visible injuries. Note the time, date, weather and road conditions. Mason said witness testimony provided the vital detail that the other driver had a medical episode, information that was not available from her own recollection at the scene.

5. Exchange and preserve details without signing on the spot. Collect names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration and insurance information from other drivers and any witnesses. Avoid signing detailed statements about fault at the roadside; it is appropriate to give a factual account of what you saw, but formal statements and admissions are best handled later and potentially with legal or insurer guidance.

6. Seek medical attention and report to your insurer. Obtain medical records and keep receipts for any treatment. Notify your insurer promptly and provide the evidence you collected. If a medical episode, such as a collapse or seizure, may have caused the crash, that information will need to be investigated by police and health professionals to determine liability and safety implications.

More than 900 collisions occur daily on UK roads, according to national figures, and Mason said her experience highlighted how quickly an ordinary journey can become dangerous. As a former detective, she said she has attended many collisions in a professional capacity but that being directly involved gave her a new perspective on the importance of witness reports and careful, calm post‑crash procedures.

Police and road safety experts say following these steps helps protect health and safety at the scene, preserves evidence for any subsequent investigation, and supports any insurance or legal processes that follow. Mason's account underscores how medical events can factor into collisions and why a methodical approach — prioritising safety, documenting the scene, and avoiding on-the-spot admissions — is advised.