How to behave when involved in a traffic accident

The Road Traffic Act (No. 8/2009 Coll.) divides road collisions into two categories: traffic accident and damage event. All your further obligations, and especially whether you must call the police, depend on this division.

When it is a traffic accident (you MUST call the police)

Under the law, an event is classified as a traffic accident if at least one of the following situations occurs:

• Someone was injured or died.
• If you cannot agree with the other participant on who caused the damage ,
• One of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or refused to undergo a breathalyzer test.
• A road or public utility facility has been damaged (e.g., destroyed guardrails, a toppled traffic light).
• There has been a leak of dangerous substances.
• One of the participants refused to prove their identity or fled the scene.

What are your obligations:

1. Stop the vehicle and secure the scene (reflective vest, hazard lights, warning triangle).
2. Provide first aid and call the emergency services (112 or 155).
3. Call the police (158) and remain at the scene.
4. Do not move the vehicles. If you must move them, carefully mark their position (chalk, spray, photos).
5. Refrain from consuming alcohol or medication until the incident is investigated.

When it is a damage event (you do NOT call the police)

If no one is injured, the participants have not consumed alcohol, public property has not been damaged, and you have clearly agreed on the culprit, it is a material damage incident. In such a case, you do not need to call the police.

What are your obligations:

1. Secure the scene (vest, triangle).
2. Fill in the Accident Report. Draw the situation in detail, clearly mark the culprit and both of you sign.
3. Exchange information. Describe your ID card, driver's license and MTPL data (contract number). If you damaged the property of a third party who is not present, you must inform them without delay.
4. Document the damage (photos from multiple angles).
5. Remove the obstacle so as not to block traffic.

Subsequent steps with the insurance company

• At-fault party: Must report the insurance event to their insurance company (liability insurance) within 15 days (in Slovakia), or within 30 days (abroad).
• Injured party: Claims compensation from the at-fault party's insurance company, submitting the Accident Report and photo documentation.

Mandatory documents in the car

• Driver's license: Valid and with the appropriate authorization.
• ID card or passport: For identity verification.
• Registration certificate (Part I): "Small vehicle registration document".
• Green card: Proof of liability insurance. From January 2025, you can also present it in electronic form (PDF on your smartphone).

Documents only for certain groups:

• Drivers over 65: Certificate of medical fitness.
• Professional drivers: Certificate of psychological fitness and driver qualification card.

What you don't have to (or must not) carry in the car:

• Large vehicle registration certificate: It does not belong in the car and you must not have it with you (it belongs at home in a drawer).
• STK and EK protocols: Paper cards have been abolished, the police verify validity electronically via the license plate number.