Shrnutí: After a traffic accident, first stop, secure the accident scene, and check to see if anyone is injured. In 2026, you must call the police especially in cases of injury or death, damage apparently exceeding 200,000 CZK to any of the vehicles involved, or damage to a third party’s property. If the police are not needed, document the situation and work together to fill out an accident report. In this article, we explain the entire process for handling a traffic accident step by step.
If you and the other driver cannot agree on who is at fault for the accident, or if the insurance company refuses to cover the damages, our attorneys will help you assess liability and your claim for compensation.
A driver’s basic obligations in the event of a traffic accident are set forth in the Road Traffic Act. The very first steps are the same regardless of who caused the accident: stop, secure the scene, and check on the well-being of everyone involved. The driver must also cooperate in determining the circumstances of the accident and, in cases specified by law, report it to the Czech Police.
Your first priority should be the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and other road users. If you are able to do so (i.e., you are not seriously injured, for example), you must first secure the vehicle. Turn off the engine, put on a reflective vest—which is part of the mandatory safety equipment—and place a warning triangle at least 50 meters from the vehicle (at least 100 meters on a highway). If you were not alone in the car, your passengers should also put on reflective vests and be led to safety (in the case of an accident on a highway, safely behind the guardrails). If anyone in your car or another road user is injured, call emergency services.
Although you are undoubtedly in shock, having a drink to steady your nerves is not the best idea right now. On the contrary, you should refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages if it is likely that an investigation will determine whether you had been drinking before driving (and this is essentially always the case with a traffic accident).
You should then cooperate fully with the investigation into the circumstances of the accident, not only with any police officers who may be called to the scene, but also with the other driver involved in the collision. Together, you should fill out an accident report.
If the other driver accuses you of being at fault, do not hesitate to consult a lawyer about the proper course of action.
Take that crucial extra step—once you’ve done everything in your power after an accident, there’s only one thing left to do: assert your claim for compensation for damages or injury. And that’s not something you should risk doing without an expert. We’ll review your case and propose a course of action within 48 hours. An attorney will handle everything—from sending a demand to the at-fault party or insurance company to filing a lawsuit if necessary—while keeping you informed every step of the way.
Even if you didn’t directly cause the accident and are just nearby, you’re obligated to help anyone who’s injured. If there are injured people at the scene, provide them with first aid and always call emergency services and the police.
Remember that providing assistance is not a matter of goodwill, but a legal obligation. If you fail to assist the injured in the situations described above, you are highly likely to have committed one of the following criminal offenses:
Failure by a Vehicle Driver to Provide Assistance —this offense is committed by a vehicle driver who was involved in a traffic accident and failed to provide the necessary assistance to injured persons, even though they could have done so without endangering themselves or others. In such a case, it is irrelevant whether the driver was directly at fault for the accident; what matters is that they were involved in it in any way (for example, even if another driver failed to yield the right of way and crashed into them).
The vehicle in question does not necessarily have to be a car; it could just as easily be a scooter, bicycle, or anything similar.
You do not necessarily need to have taken a first-aid course to provide assistance; at a minimum, calling emergency services is considered sufficient. On the other hand, having some basic knowledge of providing medical assistance will certainly make you feel more confident on the road. Perpetrators of this crime face up to five years in prison.
Failure to Provide Assistance — if others near the scene of a traffic accident intentionally fail to provide necessary assistance to a seriously injured person, even though they could do so without endangering themselves or others, they commit a crime punishable by up to two years in prison. If a person who is obligated to provide assistance by the nature of their employment (a doctor, paramedic, etc.) fails to do so, they face a suspension from practice or, in some cases, up to three years in prison.
Tip: Do you own an electric scooter? Starting recently, some models require you to have liability insurance. This is because the accident rate is rising and the costs of damage are high. Does this rule apply to your scooter? You can find out in our article.
If you fail to comply with the above-mentioned obligations imposed by law on drivers in the event of a traffic accident (i.e., if you fail to stop your vehicle, fail to report the accident to the police when required, fail to cooperate, etc.), you are committing traffic offenses. These offenses are subject to various penalties under the Road Traffic Act.
If, following a traffic accident, you fail to comply with the obligation to stop or unlawfully leave the scene of the accident, you may face a fine of 7,000 to 25,000 CZK in administrative proceedings, 4 points on your license, and, in cases specified by law, a driving ban. If a driver causes serious bodily injury or the death of another person in an accident, they may also face criminal liability under the Criminal Code, including imprisonment.
Tip: Read about how to legally challenge a traffic ticket.
Do you think the best approach is to come to some kind of agreement with the other party after an accident and then leave the rest to the insurance companies? There are cases, however , when that isn’t enough. You must call the police to the scene of an accident if:
In practice, estimating the damage right at the scene can be very inaccurate —especially with modern vehicles, where expensive sensors or other technology can be damaged even in a seemingly minor collision. Therefore, if you’re unsure whether you’ve exceeded the legal limit, it’s safer to consult with the police about the situation.
Tip: Be sure to also read about how to tell the difference between a security guard and a police officer, and what their powers are.
Report the traffic accident to the Czech Police emergency line at 158, or to 112 if necessary. Tell the operator, first and foremost, where the accident occurred, what happened, how many vehicles were involved, and whether anyone was injured. Also describe any obstacles or other hazards on the road and follow the operator’s instructions.
If the damage is less than 200,000 crowns but the parties involved have not reached a mutual agreement on who was at fault, it is technically not necessary to call the police—you only need to note this on the form. However, the Czech Police itself recommends calling on its website.
In the event of an accident without injuries, first secure the scene and verify whether any of the situations requiring you to call the police have occurred. If you do not need to call the police, exchange contact information with the other parties involved, take thorough photographs of the scene, and draft a joint accident report. Then report the accident to the appropriate insurance company as soon as possible.
Tip: We’ve also covered the process of claiming damages after a traffic accident and the various ways to resolve compensation claims in our article.
The basic rule is: do not move the vehicle until the police arrive. You do not have to follow this rule only if it is completely obvious that the police will not be called, or if you need to move the car, for example, to rescue other people or to allow emergency vehicles to pass. If you must move the car, try to mark its original position—for example, with chalk or colored spray paint—or take photos of it from different angles. Taking a photo is recommended in any case.
Tip: Are you liable for damage to a company car in the event of an accident? Find out in our next article.
If there is no reason to call the police, you should still prepare a joint report as the parties involved in the accident. It is generally recommended to use the so-called Euroform, which your insurance company will provide, or which you can find on the Ministry of Transportation’s website. Don’t assume that others will have one as well—be sure to print out two copies right away. The form itself guides you through filling out everything that’s needed. In any case, the report should include a description of the accident site, the time, the causes, the sequence of events, and the consequences (damage to vehicles or other property), as well as the identification of the parties involved and their vehicles.
All parties involved should sign the report, which is then submitted to the at-fault party’s insurance company to file a claim. Always write down the names and addresses not only of the other drivers but also of any witnesses to the accident. If the at-fault party refuses to provide their information, at least write down their license plate number, which can be traced later. In any case, it is also recommended to take several photographs of both the accident itself and the surrounding area (traffic signs indicating speed limits, right-of-way, etc.).
From legal practice: Disputes following traffic accidents often arise not because of the amount of damage itself, but because the accounts of the individual parties later differ. Therefore, we recommend not relying solely on a brief sketch. Take photos of the overall positions of the vehicles, details of the damage, license plates, traffic signs, and the wider area around the accident, and make a note of the contact information for any potential witnesses.
Always keep a roadside assistance card in your car with the insurance company’s contact information; call them especially if your vehicle becomes inoperable. If you are not at fault for the accident, the cost of roadside assistance will be covered by the at-fault party’s liability insurance.
After an accident, report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible. If you caused the accident, report it to your own insurance company under your liability insurance; the injured party typically files a claim for damages with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Prepare a report of the traffic accident, photographs, information about the vehicles and those involved, and, if applicable, the police report. Document the damaged vehicle before repairs and follow the insurance company’s instructions regarding the damage inspection.
Is the insurance company reducing the payout or denying the at-fault party’s liability? Our attorney will review their arguments and help you file a claim for damages.
In the event of a traffic accident , the most important thing is to stop, secure the scene of the accident, and check to see if anyone is injured. If there are injuries or a fatality, if the damage to any of the vehicles involved—including any cargo—appears to exceed 200,000 CZK, if there is damage to a third party’s property, or if the parties involved are unable to ensure safe traffic flow on their own, it is necessary to call the Czech Police. If the police are not needed, the parties involved should thoroughly document the scene, exchange contact information, and complete a joint accident report. Subsequently, the accident must be reported to the insurance company as soon as possible, and photographs, the report, and contact information for any witnesses should be retained. The driver is also required to remain at the scene of the accident, provide necessary assistance, and cooperate in clarifying the circumstances of the accident. Failure to fulfill these obligations may result in fines, traffic points, or a driver’s license suspension, while failure to assist an injured person may also have criminal consequences, including imprisonment.
Tip: All vehicle owners are required to have liability insurance. You may find this requirement a nuisance, but it will definitely come in handy if you’re at fault in a traffic accident. It can save you millions. Find out exactly who is required to have liability insurance and how to cancel it.
You don’t have to. A joint traffic accident report can be prepared in another way, as long as it contains the information required by law. Starting in 2025, the law will also allow it to be filed electronically via an interface specified by the Czech Insurers’ Bureau.
Call the Czech Police. Those involved in the accident are required to provide proof of identity and vehicle information upon request.
You have a legal obligation to provide assistance to injured persons—at a minimum, you must call emergency services and the police. Failure to provide assistance is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for up to two years; for a driver involved in an accident, the penalty is up to five years.
Yes, it is not enough to leave a note with your contact information under the windshield wiper. If the owner of the damaged vehicle is not present, the Czech Police recommends reporting the accident by calling 158.
Keep your photos, a joint report, contact information for witnesses, and all communications. If a dispute arises regarding liability or compensation, this evidence may be decisive.
Document the damage as soon as possible and report it to your insurance company. The more photos and other evidence you have from the scene of the accident, the easier it is to prove the extent and cause of the damage.
Yes. That is why it is advisable to report the damage before repairs begin, document the damage thoroughly, and follow the insurance company’s instructions regarding the vehicle inspection.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 15 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 15 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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