Motor insurance
What should you do immediately after a road accident in Korea?
After a road accident, stop the vehicle and check everyone’s safety first. If someone is injured, call 119 for emergency assistance and, as far as possible, take steps to prevent a further accident. Under the Road Traffic Act, a driver involved in an accident must stop immediately, assist injured people and provide the victim with personal details such as their name, telephone number and address.
It is prudent to call 112 when someone is injured, danger remains on the road, the parties dispute what happened, or drink-driving or unlicensed driving is suspected. If you are unsure whether a report is required, ask the police rather than deciding on your own at the scene.
Once people are safe, record the scene as far as it is safe to do so:
- the overall positions of the vehicles and road conditions;
- collision points and vehicle damage;
- traffic lights, lanes and signs;
- the other vehicle’s registration number;
- the other person’s name and contact details;
- witnesses’ contact details; and
- preservation of dashcam footage.
Then report the accident to the insurer and record the claim reference and handler’s contact details. You do not need to settle the proportion of fault or final compensation hastily at the scene. The General Insurance Association of Korea explains that its standard rapid-processing accident statement records the facts and that signing it is not, by itself, an admission of liability.
Sequence immediately after an accident
- Stop immediately.
- Check and assist injured people.
- Decide whether 119 or 112 is needed.
- Take safety measures to prevent a secondary accident.
- Provide the other party with the personal details required by law.
- Record photographs, video and vehicle information.
- Report the accident to the insurer.
- Record the claim reference and handler.
- Obtain medical attention if you feel unwell.
- Check the compensation process before making a private settlement.
What foreign residents should pay particular attention to
Do not leave the scene because Korean is difficult. Make the official report and notify the insurer first, and do not immediately sign a settlement you do not understand. You do not need to hand over the original of your identity document or provide unnecessary personal data, but you must provide the personal details required by law.