This guide takes you through the steps & processes you should take should you have a road accident in Dubai.
While on the road
The first thing you must do when involved in an accident is “tie the area down”.
- All cars involved are required to stop in a safe area immediately.
- Hazard lights must be switched on and passengers must exit the car.
- Check that all passengers are ok. For serious injuries, call 999 immediately to report accident and ask for an ambulance.
- If no one is injured or damage to the vehicle is minor, you are required to move your car to a space on the side of the road so as not to obstruct other cars circulating.
If another driver(s) involved speeds away from the scene of the accident, try and take down their number plate. You can provide this to the police when they arrive. Note that this is illegal and can result in serious consequences.
Reporting the accident
The following is a step-by-step guide to reporting an accident to the police:
- Call 999.
- Explain to the operator that you have been involved in a crash and require police assistance (*remember to ask for an ambulance if anyone has been seriously injured).
- Take some pictures of the damage done to your car.
- If your car is a rental, call the rental company to inform them of the accident.
After the accident has been reported
You must remember to always remain calm and not engage in any arguments with the other driver(s) and especially not with the police when they arrive.
Once the accident has been reported, wait for the police to arrive. They are usually very efficient and will assess the incident appointing blame where it lies, following which they will issue you with a police report in Arabic. There are three colour codes for these:
- Pink – You are at fault
- Green – You are the victim
- White – Neither appears to be at fault
*Always follow instructions given by the police.
Documents you should always carry
It is advised that you carry certain documents with you at all times when in the UAE.
If you are a resident ensure you always have the following:
- Emirates ID
- UAE driving licence
- Vehicle registration card
- Medical Insurance card (this is important if you obtain any serious injuries and need to be treated immediately).
If you are a tourist:
- Passport
- Valid driving licence
- Medical insurance document
Insurance and repairs
Once you have the police report, you can contact your insurance provider (or your car hire company if your car is a rental).
The insurance company will advise you on the next steps. In many cases, they will either pick up the car (in cases where the car is damaged to the extent that it cannot be driven away, they will send a recovery company to pick it up, otherwise they will advise you to either bring the car to the workshop for repair or arrange for it to be picked up and brought to the workshop). Make sure you check with the police officer before moving your car from the scene.
The insurance company will generally handle claims to the other parties’ insurance provider for repairs.
Things to bear in mind
- The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol, so do not ever drink and drive.
- Ensure you remain calm at all times and do not engage in any arguments, this is also not tolerated and can also have negative repercussions.
- Do not question the police, allow them to do their job and always listen to their instructions carefully.
Other possible scenarios
If your car sustains any considerable damage whilst parked, call the police or go to the nearest station to file a report. A damage report will be issued to you at a cost of Dhs.50, which you can submit to your insurers.