How to fill in an accident report form in Ireland

1. Record the place and time

Use the actual date, time and location of the accident. Check the country, street and town before continuing: the event location determines the document layout. Only add information about injuries or witnesses that you know.

2. Keep vehicle A and B separate

Agree which vehicle is A and which is B and use that assignment throughout. Record vehicle, driver and policyholder details separately; these may be different people. Check the policy number against the insurance document rather than guessing.

3. Describe the circumstances

Complete the circumstances for each vehicle. Describe what you observed, the movements and directions. Avoid conclusions about fault. Use a sketch to clarify positions, keeping A and B consistent with the rest of the record.

4. Review both sides

The other person can join through an invitation link or QR code. You can also share one phone. Read both sides back and flag mistakes during review. Discuss differences before either person signs.

5. Sign the checked version

Check names, plates, insurance details, location, circumstances and sketch again. Each participant should review their own information. A signature should not be used to skip an unresolved difference about the facts.

6. Keep the PDF

Download the PDF and check that it is readable. Save your own copy and ask your insurer which supporting documents and submission channel they need. The tool does not automatically file a claim or send the record to an insurer.

What the law asks of drivers

Section 106 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 requires a driver to stop and remain at the scene for a reasonable time. According to a guide from odo.ie, if no Garda attends you must report the collision to a Garda as soon as possible. This guide treats 24 hours as a safe benchmark, not as statutory wording. Call 999 or 112 if anyone is injured.

Exchange details and tell your insurer

Note the other driver’s name, address, phone number, insurer, policy number and registration, plus any witnesses. The same guide advises telling your insurer within 24 to 48 hours, even if you do not plan to claim, because late notice can breach policy terms. Check your policy for its exact wording.

Uninsured drivers, injuries and Crashform

If the other vehicle is uninsured or unidentified, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) exists to compensate victims. Injury claims go through the Injuries Resolution Board before court. Crashform is independent: it prepares the European Accident Statement as a PDF but does not report to Gardaí or insurers, and it does not decide who is at fault.

DEMO

Read the example

European Accident Statement · DEMO

In the fictional example, two vehicles make contact while parking. Find A and B in the PDF. Compare names, plates, date and location with the description. Then check whether the sketch and selected circumstances tell a consistent story. The DEMO document contains no real signatures and is not intended for submission.

View sample PDF ↗