What to do at the scene of a car accident in Spain

Key rules

• Emergency call: Call 112 after any accident with injuries or danger.
• V16 beacon: Since 1 January 2026 only the V16 beacon is valid, and it goes on the roof, never on the road.
• Stay and help: Never leave the scene without helping the injured; it can be a crime.
• Signing: Sign the parte amistoso only if it is accurate, and mark any disagreement on it.

The first ten minutes, in order

Stay calm and do these steps in this order. Everything else can wait until you are safe.

1. Stop and make the scene safe

Stop in a way that avoids further danger. Switch on your hazard lights and put on your reflective vest before you get out. Every car must carry one, and you must wear it if you leave the vehicle on an intercity road, or on any road at night or in poor light.

Get out on the side away from traffic if it is safe. Then wait behind the guardrail or well off the road. Do not stay in the car or on the road.

2. Put out your V16 beacon

Since 1 January 2026 the connected V16 beacon is the only valid warning for a stopped vehicle. It replaces the triangles. Place it on the roof so it is visible from 100 metres. Reach out of the car to do it if you can, rather than walking onto the road. The fine for not complying is 80 euros.

This applies to foreign vehicles too. It does not apply to motorcycles and mopeds.

3. Call 112

Call 112 if anyone is hurt or there is any danger. It is free, works across Spain and sends ambulance, fire and police as needed. Use 112 first. The phone lines for traffic information are for later, not for the emergency.

4. Stay and help

You must stay and help anyone who is injured. Leaving without helping is a crime. Leaving the scene after causing injury can bring a prison sentence and a driving ban. Even if there is only damage to vehicles, driving away is a traffic offence.

Do not move your vehicle unless safety requires it, so you do not get in the way of the investigation. Photograph the cars first if it is safe, as the checklist below explains.

5. Exchange details

Give and take these details from the other driver:

• full name, ID, NIE or passport, and address
• vehicle make, model and plate
• the insurer's name and policy number
• the names of any witnesses

Foreign drivers should also give their green card or other insurance details. You must also give your identity and insurance details to the police if they come.

6. Fill in the parte amistoso, only if you agree

For an accident with only material damage, both drivers can fill in the European accident statement, the parte amistoso. It records the circumstances, the point of impact and the damage.

Signing it does not by itself admit fault. Insurers decide who is liable, and the courts if needed. But what you sign can be used as evidence of what you declared. So sign only what is accurate, and mark any disagreement on the form. If you do not agree with the other driver, do not sign and call the police. The choices are laid out in the decision below.

Keep this page for later

The documents list, the timeline, the checklist of what to photograph and the warnings below cover the rest. Do not admit fault out loud at the scene. Stick to the facts.

Choosing between options

Should you sign the parte amistoso at the scene?

• Sign it as written: You and the other driver agree on the facts, the point of impact and the damage, and the form says exactly that.

• Sign it and mark your disagreement: You agree on most of it but see some circumstances differently. Note the difference on the form before you sign.

• Do not sign and call the police: You disagree with the other driver about what happened and cannot agree on the form.

Signing does not by itself admit fault, but your signed account can be used as evidence, so sign only what is accurate. If you disagree, do not sign and call the police.

Timeline and deadlines

• Stop in a way that avoids further danger: immediately after the accident

• Warn other traffic with your V16 beacon: straight after stopping

• Help the injured and call 112: right away, before anything else

• Leave the vehicle where it is unless safety requires moving it, so you do not hinder the investigation: until the authorities say otherwise

• Notify the authorities if there are injuries or serious damage: at the scene

• Give your identity and insurance details to the other drivers and the authorities: before you leave the scene

Documents you need

• European accident statement (declaración amistosa de accidente): both drivers fill it in and sign it, with the circumstances, the point of impact and the damage. It applies to accidents with material damage only and two or more vehicles.

• Your ID, NIE or passport, to give your full name and address to the other driver.

• Your insurance details: insurer name and policy number, ready to show the other driver.

• Your green card or other insurance details, if you drive a foreign vehicle.

What to note, photograph and keep after an accident

• Photograph all vehicles where they stopped, before moving them if it is safe to do so.

• Photograph the damage from several angles, plus the licence plates.

• Photograph road markings, signs, traffic lights, skid marks, debris and the road surface.

• Photograph the weather and light conditions.

• Write down the date, time and exact place: road name, kilometre point or GPS position.

• Get the other driver's full name, ID, NIE or passport number, address and phone number.

• Note the other vehicle's make, model and plate, and the insurer's name and policy number.

• Photograph the other driver's licence and insurance certificate, if they allow it.

• Take the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

• Fill in the European accident statement (declaración amistosa de accidente) together with the other driver, covering the circumstances, point of impact and damage. Do not sign if you disagree or anyone is injured.

• Write down the police presence and the agents' numbers, and note any CCTV or dashcam nearby.

• Photograph any injuries and note them.

• Ask the Guardia Civil or local police for the atestado (police report) number and a copy.

• Keep your policy, latest premium receipt, permiso de circulación, ITV card and driver's licence together.

• Keep repair estimates and invoices, towing and rental receipts, and all letters and emails with your insurer, including the claim reference.

• For injuries, keep medical reports, hospital discharge notes, sick-leave (baja) papers, treatment invoices and any expert (peritaje) reports.

What to watch out for

• Leaving the scene or not helping: Driving away or failing to help an injured person is a crime of omission of the duty to help, punishable by prison or a fine, with higher penalties if you caused the accident. Leaving after causing injury can mean 6 months to 4 years in prison and a driving ban. Leaving after damage only is a traffic offence. Stop, help the injured, and stay until the authorities say you can go.

• Not calling 112: Delaying the call can leave injured people without help and the road without protection. Call 112 as soon as there are injuries or danger.

• Using triangles or putting the beacon on the road: Triangles no longer count as a valid warning, and a V16 placed on the road is not used correctly. You can be fined 80 euros. Reach out of the car and put the V16 on the roof, without stepping onto the road where possible.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to wear a reflective vest when I get out after an accident?

Yes, you must wear a reflective vest when you leave the car on the road or hard shoulder of an intercity road, and at night or in low visibility on any road. Every car must carry one, so put it on before you open the door.

Can I get in trouble for driving away if nobody was hurt?

Yes, leaving the scene after damage only is a traffic offence, so stay and give your details to the other driver. If someone was injured, leaving is much more serious: it can mean 6 months to 4 years in prison and a driving ban. Failing to help an injured person is a separate crime.

Does signing the parte amistoso mean I admit I caused the accident?

No, signing the parte amistoso does not by itself admit fault, but your signed account can be used as evidence of what you declared. The insurers decide who is liable, and a court can if needed. Only sign what is accurate and mark any point you disagree with on the form.

Should I call 062 or 011 instead of 112 after an accident?

No, call 112 first, because it is free, works across Spain and sends ambulance, fire and police. You can also call the Guardia Civil traffic line 062 for incidents on intercity roads. The 011 line is only for traffic information, not emergencies.