The one sentence never to say or sign at the scene: an admission of fault. Lawyers even advise replacing sorry with something neutral — fault is determined by insurers and police.
At the Scene: the Five Minutes That Decide Everything
Secure, document, exchange data. Police are not always mandatory — but never sign an admission of fault at the scene.
✓ Verified: 18/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
My glovebox holds the European Accident Report in duplicate: one form in all EU languages, filled by checkboxes. Both sides finished in 15 minutes without a single argument.
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Lea recommends:
Photograph before moving the cars: a wide shot with markings, all four corners of both cars, skid marks, signs. A smartphone with geotag and time is your chief witness.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do I tell the police with a language barrier? ▾
Little and only facts; no fault discussion. Saying I would like an interpreter is legitimate: never sign an ununderstood protocol — have objections noted.
Must the police come to a fender-bender? ▾
With disputed fault, injuries, foreign participants or larger damage — absolutely. For clear trifles the parties may settle by protocol, but for a non-native speaker the police report is free insurance against rewritten stories.
The other driver offers cash without insurers — accept? ▾
No: hidden damage surfaces later and without a record you prove nothing. Cash on the spot is the favourite staged-accident pattern.