Insurance
What to do after a road accident
The immediate steps to take after a car accident in Spain, to keep everyone safe and protect your insurance claim.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15Submit the parte amistoso to your insurer within 7 days. A well-completed, mutually signed form typically leads to a claims decision within 5-15 working days, compared with several months for a disputed or unclear case.
This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.
Overview
What you do in the minutes after a road accident matters — both for safety and for how smoothly your insurance claim goes afterwards. Spain uses a standard 'parte amistoso' (friendly accident report) that most insurers rely on to settle claims quickly.
Requirements
- Applies to anyone involved in a road accident in Spain, regardless of nationality or residency
Step-by-step process
- Stay calm, turn on your hazard lights, and check whether anyone is injured
- If anyone is injured, call 112 immediately
- If you need to exit the vehicle on a road, put on a reflective vest first
- Exchange details with the other driver(s): name, ID, licence plate, insurer and policy number
- Complete the 'parte amistoso' (European Accident Statement) together with the other driver, noting the circumstances clearly, and both sign it
- If there's significant damage, injury, or dispute about fault, involve the police as well, requesting an official report (atestado)
- Send the completed parte amistoso to your insurer within 7 days of the accident
Required documents
- Driving licence
- Insurance details (yours and, once exchanged, the other driver's)
- Vehicle registration document
- Completed and signed parte amistoso
- Police report (atestado), if involved
Common mistakes
- Not completing or signing a parte amistoso at the scene, making the claims process considerably slower and more likely to be disputed
- Leaving out key details (exact circumstances, a sketch of the accident) that would help establish fault clearly
Practical tips
- Keep a parte amistoso form in your car at all times, since not every driver you might collide with will have one to hand
- Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage and positions before moving anything, wherever it's safe to do so
How Tuchati can help
Tuchati can't handle emergencies, but afterwards can help you understand the claims process and next steps.