In the first 10 minutes after a car accident in Portugal, the order of priorities is simple: make yourself and others safe, warn oncoming traffic, call 112 if anyone is hurt, and only then gather evidence and the other driver’s details. Doing things in this order protects lives and makes the claim far easier to settle later. This is the checklist I give my own clients.

Minute 1: stop, breathe, hazard lights on

Stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Switch on your hazard warning lights and turn off the engine. Take a breath before getting out: even a minor accident is stressful, and that is when mistakes happen.

Never drive away. Any driver involved in an accident must stop and identify themselves to the other people involved.

Minutes 2–3: vest on, triangle out

Put on your high-visibility vest before you step out. Under the Portuguese Highway Code (Código da Estrada), anyone placing the warning triangle, repairing or moving a vehicle stopped on the carriageway or hard shoulder must wear it, and it is simply the best way to be seen. Ask passengers to get out on the side away from traffic and to wait somewhere protected, behind the crash barrier if there is one.

Place the warning triangle at least 30 metres behind the car, so that it is visible from at least 100 metres away. On bends or brows of hills, place it further back so approaching drivers have time to react.

If nobody is hurt and the cars can be driven, move them so they do not block traffic, but first take two or three photos of where they came to rest.

Minutes 3–5: anyone injured? Call 112

If anyone is hurt, call 112, the European emergency number, straight away. Say where you are (road, kilometre marker, direction, landmarks), how many people are injured and whether there is a risk of fire or fuel leak.

Do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger (fire, risk of being hit).
Do not remove a motorcyclist’s helmet.
Follow the operator’s instructions until help arrives.

If anyone is injured, the drivers must wait at the scene for the police. In another article in this series, I explain when to call the police (PSP or GNR) even when nobody is hurt.

Minutes 5–8: photos worth a thousand words

Once the scene is safe, use your phone to record everything. These photos are often decisive in the damage assessment or in a dispute about who was at fault:

Wide shots of the scene from several angles, showing where the vehicles are.
Damage to every vehicle, close up and from further back.
Registration plates of all vehicles involved.
Skid marks, glass or debris on the road, road signs and traffic lights.
Road conditions: wet surface, potholes, roadworks, poor lighting.

If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. An independent witness can make all the difference if there is a disagreement.

Minutes 8–10: exchange details with the other driver

By law, each driver must give the others their identity, the vehicle owner’s identity, the name of the insurer and the policy number, and show their documents when asked. Write down or photograph:

The other driver’s name, address and phone number.
Their driving licence number.
The other car’s registration, make and model.
The insurer and policy number (shown on the insurance certificate).

If you both agree on what happened, fill in the European Accident Statement (Declaração Amigável de Acidente Automóvel) together. If you do not agree, or you do not understand what is written, do not sign it; call the police instead.

After the first 10 minutes

Call your policy’s roadside assistance line if the car cannot be driven. Then report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible: Portuguese law sets a maximum of eight days. And, of course, get in touch with me: I will guide you through the whole process.

In the hours that follow, write down everything you remember about the accident while it is still fresh: the time, approximate speed, road signs, what each driver did. If you start to feel pain (in your neck or back, for example), see a doctor and keep the medical reports. They are useful evidence if you need to prove anything later.

Frequently asked questions about a car accident in Portugal

Is it compulsory to carry a warning triangle and a vest?

Yes. Cars in Portugal must carry a warning triangle and a vest, both reflective and of an approved type. Not having either can lead to a fine.

Can I move the cars before the police arrive?

If anyone is injured, it is best to leave everything as it is and wait. If nobody is hurt, you can move the cars off the road to prevent further accidents, after photographing their position.

What if the other driver drives off?

Note the registration, make, model and colour, look for witnesses and call the PSP or GNR immediately. Reporting it to the police is essential to protect your rights.

If you wish, I will review your car insurance cover with you so you are prepared before you need it: request your no-obligation review here.

Sources

General information only. It does not replace reading your policy conditions or personalised advice.