The accident report, often referred to as the accident report or euroform, is a key document when dealing with a claim. When an accident occurs without the presence of the police, i.e. in less serious accidents with no injuries and clear liability, it is this form that serves as the basis for insurance companies in settling the claim. Correct and complete completion can make all the difference in a smooth claims process, while mistakes can make things more complicated and prolonged.
A traffic accident is an event that none of us wish to experience. And yet it happens every day. From minor parking bumps to collisions at intersections to more serious collisions. While most of them don’t result in serious health consequences, they do bring the worry of vehicle damage and subsequent dealings with the insurance company. This is where the accident report, sometimes also referred to as an accident report or simply an accident form, comes in.
This document is legally and practically extremely important. It serves as an official document for the insurance company and often determines whether and how quickly damages will be paid in full. If you can fill it out carefully, clearly and legibly, the entire claims process will go smoothly. But if the form is incomplete, unintelligible or contains errors, it can become a source of problems – from prolonged administration to denial of insurance benefits.
Accidents are stressful and often lead to legal disputes. If you are unsure of how to proceed, contact an Affordable Lawyer. We will represent you in the event of a dispute and ensure that your rights are protected.
The accident report form is structured to contain all the essential information needed by the insurance company. Although it looks complicated at first glance, once you know what goes where, filling it out is simple.
1. Identification details of the parties involved
Write down the full name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number. This information is used to uniquely identify the driver. Remember that the form is signed by both parties involved in the accident, so both parties’ details must be filled in.
2. Vehicle and insurance details
This is a very important section. In addition to the make and registration number of the vehicle, the liability insurance number must also be provided. This can be found on the green card. Accurately stating the policy number will fundamentally speed up the settlement of the claim. If you are unsure of the correct details of the other vehicle’s insurance, ask the driver to produce the green card and copy the details directly from it.
3. Place and time of the accident
Specify the location as accurately as possible – give the street, road number, near which landmarks the accident occurred. Add the date and exact time.
4. Description of the accident
Be brief but clear. Be specific, e.g. “Vehicle A was coming out of a side road on the right and failed to give way to vehicle B travelling on the main road.” Avoid vague wording such as “we collided at an intersection”.
5. Sketch of the accident
This point tends to be the most problematic for drivers. The sketch should be simple and clear. Draw the vehicles (A and B), their directions of travel, the street, traffic signs, traffic lights, and possibly other features (e.g. pedestrian crossing).
6. Extent of damage
List all visible damage, not only major damage but also minor abrasions, cracks or dents. This will avoid future disputes. If an object other than the vehicle (e.g. road sign, fence) has been damaged, state this.
7. Witnesses to the accident
If there were witnesses at the scene, give their names and contact details. Their testimony may be crucial in disputed cases.
8. Signatures of those involved
Without both drivers’ signatures, the form is invalid. If one of the participants refuses to sign, call the police immediately.
The Euroform is an internationally recognised road accident form which has a uniform format across the EU. This makes it valid in all member states and makes it easier to deal with insurance claims if the accident happens abroad.
Its main advantage is its uniform structure – the form is the same everywhere, whether you are in the Czech Republic, Germany or Italy. Then there is the language clarity. Each version is in two languages, so the completed Czech form can also be used abroad, where the insurance company can easily translate the data. And most importantly, the euro form is valid throughout the EU, so it will be recognised and accepted by insurance companies abroad.
If you are travelling abroad by car, we recommend that you always have several copies of the euroform on hand. This will avoid complications in the event of an accident and make the process quicker.
Tip: The number of road accidents is increasing year by year and although none of us wants it to happen, the likelihood that one day it will happen to us is not entirely remote. In any case, it is good to be prepared and know how to behave in such a situation.
An accident record is not part of the mandatory equipment (such as a first aid kit), but every driver should carry it with them. When an accident happens, there is often stress and chaos and having the form right in the passenger compartment is therefore a great advantage.
So where can I get a road accident record?
Our tip: Always have at least two copies. If the other driver doesn’t have their form, you’ll be ready.
Interesting case law in this area has been brought by the Supreme Administrative Court, which has dealt with the obligation of the parties involved to draw up a joint accident report under the Road Traffic Act if the accident is not reported to the police. The Court stressed that this document is not an agreement between the parties – it is therefore not necessary for the guilty party and the injured party to agree on the causes of the accident or who is responsible for it. Each party has the right to put their own version of events on the form, which is intended to ensure that a record can be made even if there is no agreement between the drivers.
Filling out an accident form doesn’t seem complicated at first glance, but in a real-life situation, stress, haste and uncertainty all play a role. It is these circumstances that lead to frequent mistakes that can mean unnecessary complications later on when dealing with the insurance company. Drivers often make mistakes by not entering the correct liability insurance number, which is a crucial piece of information for the claim. Equally problematic are incomplete details of the parties involved in an accident, where telephone contact details or driving licence numbers are missing.
Inaccurate or incomprehensible drawings of the accident can also cause major problems. If it is not clear how the accident occurred, the insurance company may ask for additional explanation or even refuse to pay. Another common omission is the missing signature of one of the parties, without which the form is invalid. And then the most crucial mistake is hasty consent – never sign something you don’t agree with, even if the other driver is pressuring you.
Tip: Do you have a company car and wonder what happens if you damage it? Take a quick test and get a general idea of whether you are liable to your employer for damages at all and under what conditions.
The accident form is sufficient for minor accidents where there is clear liability and no personal injury. However, there are situations you have a duty to call the police in the event of a car accident.
In particular, the police must be called if:
In such cases, the police will draw up an official accident report, which is evidence for further proceedings and for the insurance company.
The accident report is an essential document when dealing with a traffic accident without the presence of the police, i.e. for less serious incidents with no injuries and clear liability. It serves as a basic basis for insurance companies and determines the speed and success of the claim settlement. It contains identification details of both drivers, vehicle and insurance information including the green card liability number, the exact location and time of the accident, a brief and clear description, a simple drawing, a list of all damages and witness details, and the document is only valid with the signature of both parties. Abroad, a uniform Euro form is used, which has the same structure in all EU countries and is recognised by insurance companies regardless of language. The form can be picked up free of charge from your insurance company, broker or downloaded as a PDF on the internet, and it is recommended to carry at least two copies with you. If the parties disagree, refuse to sign, damage in excess of CZK 200,000 is caused, public property is damaged or injuries occur, the police must be called and will draw up an official accident report.
Yes, it is recommended to have it in the vehicle with the mandatory equipment.
Call the police. Without both parties signing the form, it is invalid.
Yes, the euro form is recognised throughout the EU.
Yes, most insurance companies offer a downloadable form on their website.
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