A traffic accident is a stressful event in which mistakes are easy to make — and costly to correct. A clear course of action will help protect your rights from the very first moments.
Step 1. Stop the Vehicle
If the car is not blocking traffic, it may be moved a short distance — but only after the accident scene has been photographed. Since 2015, traffic regulations have required drivers to clear the roadway promptly after documenting the scene; failure to do so carries a fine of 1,000 rubles. In some cases, however, it may be wiser to pay the fine than to dispute liability under ambiguous circumstances.
Leaving the scene of an accident is prohibited and may result in administrative liability.
Step 2. Activate Hazard Lights and Place the Warning Triangle
The triangular emergency warning sign must be deployed immediately — without delay. Failure to do so carries a fine of 1,000 rubles under the Code of Administrative Offenses (KoAP).
Step 3. Assess the Scene and Check for Injuries
Do not sign any documents under pressure — whether from traffic police officers or other parties involved. Initial statements have a significant impact on the determination of fault.
Be alert to fraudulent schemes. If you have a valid OSAGO (compulsory motor third-party liability) policy, you are not obligated to make any payments at the scene.
Step 4. Assist Any Injured Parties
If there are injured persons, call emergency services at 112. If necessary, transport an injured person to a hospital yourself, then return to the scene immediately.
Step 5. Simplified Protocol or Traffic Police?
A simplified accident report (Europrotocol — completed by the drivers without police involvement) is available only when all of the following conditions are met simultaneously:
- Only two vehicles are involved
- No persons have been injured
- Both drivers are insured under OSAGO
- There is no disagreement about the circumstances of the accident
The compensation limit depends on how the accident is filed:
- Up to 100,000 rubles — standard paper notification form
- Up to 400,000 rubles — if both drivers record the accident using the “Pomoshchnik OSAGO” mobile app, which transmits data with geolocation and photos to the Russian Insurers’ Union (RSA) system
Steps for completing the Europrotocol:
- Complete the accident notification form jointly, or record the accident using the Pomoshchnik OSAGO app
- Photograph the scene, all damage, and the positions of the vehicles
- Submit documents to your insurance company within five business days — in person, by post, or through your insurer’s personal account on the Gosuslugi portal
If any one condition is not met, contact the traffic police (GIBDD) and remain at the scene. While waiting: photograph everything, record witnesses’ contact information, and notify your insurer.
Insurance Disputes: Mandatory Pre-Trial Process
Motor insurance disputes must pass through two mandatory stages before court proceedings.
Stage 1. Complaint to the insurance company
File a written complaint — the insurer is required to respond within 10 business days. Complaints may be submitted in person, by registered post, or through the insurer’s online portal.
Stage 2. Financial Ombudsman
If the insurer’s response is unsatisfactory or goes unanswered, submit your case to the Financial Ombudsman at finombudsman.ru. The service is free of charge; the review period is up to 15 business days. The Ombudsman’s decision is binding on the insurance company.
Stage 3. Court
Only after the Ombudsman’s decision (or if the insurer refuses to comply) may you file a claim in court.
Why You Should Call an Attorney Immediately
An accident is stressful, and under stress people agree to conditions they would refuse with a clear head. An attorney on the phone can clarify your rights, help you properly document the circumstances, and prevent errors that cannot later be undone.
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If your insurer denied a claim or undervalued the damages, we can help you challenge that decision. Contact us — an initial consultation will show whether there are grounds to pursue recovery.