What to Do After a Road Accident in Sri Lanka: Step-by-Step

Key facts

• Call 119 for police and 1990 for the free Suwa Seriya ambulance service — both work 24/7 anywhere in Sri Lanka.
• Under the Motor Traffic Act, accidents must be reported to the nearest police station as soon as possible, and within 24 hours at the latest.
• Don't move a crashed vehicle unless it's unsafe or badly blocking traffic — if you must move it, mark the wheel positions and photograph the scene first.
• A police report is usually required before an insurer will process a claim, as of October 2026 — check the exact wording with your own insurer.
• Third-party insurance is compulsory for every registered vehicle in Sri Lanka, so even a vehicle with no "full cover" has some accident protection for the other party.
• If the other driver flees the scene (a hit-and-run), report the plate number, vehicle description and any witness details to the police immediately.
• Keep your driving licence, CR book (or a copy), revenue licence and insurance details in the vehicle — you'll need them at the scene and for the claim.
• Serious injury or death cases are investigated and can go through the courts, separate from the insurance claim.

What should you do in the first few minutes after an accident?

Stop the vehicle, switch on hazard lights, and check yourself and others for injuries before anything else. If anyone is hurt, call 1990 for an ambulance and 119 for the police right away. If the vehicles are in a dangerous spot — a blind bend, a highway lane, or at night with poor visibility — try to move people to safety, but avoid moving the vehicles themselves unless they're truly unsafe to leave where they are or are badly obstructing traffic.

Should you move the vehicles before police arrive?

Generally, no. The safer practice is to leave vehicles in position so the police can see exactly how the accident happened. If you genuinely have to move a vehicle — because it's blocking a busy road or is a fire or further-collision risk — mark where the wheels were standing (chalk, a stone, or even a phone photo of the exact spot) and take photos of the full scene from several angles before moving anything. This protects you if there's a dispute later about who was where.

Do you have to call the police for every accident?

Yes, in practice. The Motor Traffic Act requires accidents to be reported to the nearest police station, and the common guidance is to do this within 24 hours, though you should report "forthwith" (immediately) wherever possible, especially if anyone is injured. Even for a minor bump with no injuries, get an officer to record it — most insurers in Sri Lanka will not accept a claim without a police report, and driving away without reporting can itself be an offence under the Act.

What should you photograph and record at the scene?

Before anything is moved or cleaned up, take wide shots of the whole scene from multiple angles, then closer shots of the damage to both vehicles, the number plates, skid marks, road signs, and any visible injuries. Note the exact location (a nearby landmark or GPS pin), the time, weather and road conditions, and the other driver's name, NIC number, licence number, vehicle registration number and phone number. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers too — they can matter a lot if the other party disputes what happened.

What should you avoid saying or doing at the scene?

Stay calm and don't get into an argument with the other driver. Avoid admitting fault or apologising in a way that could be read as an admission — let the police record the facts and let your insurer's investigation establish what happened. If the other driver pressures you to "settle it there" with cash and skip the police, be cautious: without a police report, you have no formal record if injuries, damage, or disputes turn up later, and your insurer may refuse the claim.

What happens when the police arrive?

The officer in charge will inspect the scene, take statements from both drivers and any witnesses, and record vehicle and licence details. For accidents with injury or serious damage, this becomes part of a formal police report, and in cases of death or serious injury, the matter can proceed to the courts separately from any insurance claim. Ask for a copy of the police report, or at minimum note the police station name and the report/entry number — your insurer will ask for this.

What if the other driver flees the scene?

If the other vehicle drives off, don't chase it. Write down everything you can remember immediately: the number plate (even partial), the make, model, colour, and direction it went. Report it as a hit-and-run at the nearest police station without delay. Police investigations into these cases often rely on CCTV footage and number-plate tracing, so the sooner you report it with as much detail as possible, the better the chances of the vehicle being identified.

How do you start an insurance claim after the accident?

Contact your insurance company as soon as you can after the police report is made — the same day is best. Most insurers ask you to complete a claim or notification form and submit the police report along with your photos. Depending on your insurer, an assessor (surveyor) will then inspect the damage, either at the scene, at your home, or at the garage you choose, and give an estimate for repairs. If you prefer your own garage, most insurers let the garage send the repair estimate directly for approval before work starts. Exact forms, timeframes and documents vary by insurer, so confirm the current procedure with your insurance company directly, as of October 2026.

Does it matter if you only have third-party insurance?

Third-party insurance is compulsory for every vehicle on Sri Lankan roads and covers damage or injury you cause to the other party, their vehicle, or their property — not damage to your own vehicle. If you only have third-party cover, you'll need to pay for your own vehicle's repairs unless the other driver (or their insurer) is found liable. If you're not sure which type of cover you have, check your policy document or call your insurer before assuming either way.

What documents should you always carry in the vehicle?

Keep your driving licence, the vehicle's CR book or a clear copy, a valid revenue licence, and your current insurance certificate in the vehicle at all times. These are the documents a police officer will ask for at the scene, and you'll need the same details again when you file the insurance claim. If you're checking a vehicle's registration history or current revenue licence status for any other reason, you can also use /price-check to see how accident history and condition affect resale value in Sri Lanka.

What should you do after the claim is settled?

Once repairs are done, keep all the paperwork — the police report, claim correspondence, repair invoices and photos — in case the same damage or a dispute comes up again later, including if you plan to sell the vehicle. Buyers and dealers in Sri Lanka often ask about accident history, so being able to show a clean repair record helps. If you're thinking about selling afterwards, browse how similar vehicles are listed on /vehicles or post your own ad on /post-ad once the vehicle is roadworthy again.

Where can you ask more specific questions?

Every accident is different, and rules around fault, compensation and court procedure can get complicated fast, especially with injuries involved. For general driving safety before you're ever in this situation, see /safety-tips. If you want to ask other Sri Lankan drivers or vehicle owners about their own experience with a claim, a specific insurer, or a tricky situation, post your question on the Wahanaya forum — it's free, and real answers from people who've been through it can be more useful than guesswork.

Sources

• Motor Traffic Act - Laws of Sri Lanka
• Motorists 'must' report accidents - Sunday Times
• Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka - Circular with Application and Police Report
• Prompt compensation for third parties involved in Road Accidents - Ministry of Transport
• Fairfirst - Motor Insurance Claims
• Allianz - Motor Insurance Claims Process
• Emergency medical services in Sri Lanka - Suwa Seriya