Traffic accident in Estonia: what to do immediately after a crash and how to deal with your insurer

A traffic accident can happen to anyone—and at such moments, the most important thing is knowing what to do immediately after the crash to protect yourself, others, and your rights. Based on Estonian laws and insurance rules, this article explains step by step how to act correctly at the scene and communicate effectively with the insurance company to ensure that you receive compensation for the damage.

What is a traffic accident and when do special requirements apply?

A traffic accident is an event that occurs in traffic and results in property damage or personal injury. Several common types of incidents are distinguished in Estonia: a collision between vehicles, a rear-end collision, an accident involving a pedestrian, and a vehicle hitting a stationary obstacle. In every case, it is important to know which steps to take immediately.

When is it mandatory to call the police?

According to Eesti Liikluskindlustuse Fond, the police and ambulance service must be notified immediately if anyone is injured or killed in a traffic accident. The police must also be called if one of the parties is unable to fulfil their obligations – for example, if they have consumed alcohol, leave the scene, or refuse to cooperate. In cases involving significant property damage, involving the police is also recommended so that all circumstances can be officially documented.

When is a mutual agreement sufficient?

If the accident is minor, no one is injured, and both parties are present and able to fulfil their obligations, a mutual agreement and completion of the European Accident Statement may be sufficient. According to the police, the traffic accident report can also be conveniently completed on a smartphone at avarii.lkf.ee—this option is available in Estonian, Russian, and English.

Motor insurance is mandatory

It is worth remembering that in Estonia, all vehicles must have valid motor insurance – it is required by law and protects both you and other road users. Without insurance, obtaining compensation for damages can become complicated and costly.

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First steps at the scene – what to do immediately after an accident

A traffic accident happens unexpectedly, and it is difficult to think clearly while in a state of shock. Therefore, it is worth knowing in advance what to do after a traffic accident so that you can act quickly and correctly.

1. Stop and switch off the engine.
Leaving the scene is prohibited, regardless of the seriousness of the situation. Remain calm and assess the situation.

2. Check whether anyone is injured.
If anyone has been injured or killed in a traffic accident, the police and ambulance service must be notified immediately – call the emergency number 112. Do not skip this step, even if the injuries seem minor at first.

3. Secure the scene.
Immediately turn on the hazard lights and place a warning triangle on the road to warn other road users. This protects both you and others at the scene.

4. Do not move the vehicles.
Before the situation has been documented, do not move the vehicles from their positions – unless necessary to ensure safety.

5. Collect the parties' details.
Write down the names and contact details of everyone involved, as well as the vehicles' registration numbers and insurance details. The more accurate the information, the smoother subsequent communication with the insurer will be.

6. Take photos and videos.
Document the scene, the positions of the vehicles, the damage, and the road conditions. Visual evidence is indispensable when filing an insurance claim.

7. Complete the traffic accident report electronically.
In Estonia, the traffic accident report can also be completed electronically—at avarii.lkf.ee you can do this on a smartphone in Estonian, Russian, or English directly at the scene.

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European Accident Statement and the police: which one should you use and how should you fill it in?

Immediately after a traffic accident, the question arises: should you call the police or complete the European Accident Statement yourself? The answer depends on the situation, and making the right choice will help you deal with the insurance company more smoothly later.

The European Accident Statement is suitable when:

• neither party is injured
• both drivers agree on the circumstances
• the vehicles are roadworthy

In this case, both parties complete and sign the European Accident Statement together, with each retaining their own copy. Ergo.ee warns that the form must be completed clearly and accurately, and no field should be left blank, as errors and omissions may significantly delay the payment of insurance compensation. Therefore, review the form's fields carefully and, if necessary, ask the other party for clarification before signing.

The good news is that the European Accident Statement does not need to be completed on paper. Both politsei.ee and harjuelu.ee note that a traffic accident report can be completed electronically – on the Liikluskindlustuse Fond website at avarii.lkf.ee the entire process can be completed on a smartphone in Estonian, Russian, or English. It is quick and convenient and reduces the risk of errors.

You are required to call the police if:

• someone has been injured or killed – LKF stresses that in this case, both the police and ambulance service must be notified immediately
• one of the parties is suspected of having consumed alcohol or drugs
• the parties do not agree on the circumstances
• a vehicle is no longer roadworthy

The police will draw up a traffic accident report at the scene, which is required when filing a claim with the insurance company.

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How should you communicate with the insurance company and claim compensation for damages?

After a traffic accident, initiating the insurance process is one of the most important steps—and the sooner you do it, the more smoothly the claim settlement will proceed.

Report the accident as soon as possible

Do not delay notifying the insurance company. What to do in practical terms after a traffic accident: contact the relevant insurance company immediately and submit all the necessary documents. If another driver caused the accident, their motor insurance company will compensate for the damage – this insurance is mandatory in Estonia and applies to all registered vehicles.

Documents required to file a claim

The insurance company usually requires the following:

• a completed European Accident Statement or a police report
• details of the vehicles and people involved
• photos taken at the scene
• other evidence of justified expenses (e.g. replacement taxi invoices)

A traffic accident report can be conveniently completed electronically – on the Eesti Liikluskindlustuse Fond website, you will find an e-form that can also be used on a smartphone directly at the scene at avarii.lkf.ee.

If the at-fault party's insurer is unknown

If the other party's insurance details are unknown or the vehicle fled the scene, contact the Eesti Liikluskindlustuse Fond (LKF) – they will help determine which insurance company you should submit your claim to.

What is reimbursed?

Motor insurance generally covers damage to the vehicle, personal injury, and other justified expenses. The exact scope of compensation depends on the specific insurance contract, so review the terms and conditions of your contract. For comprehensive insurance claims, a separate claim must be submitted to your insurance company.

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Common mistakes when documenting an accident that may delay or reduce compensation

What to do after a traffic accident—this question often arises precisely when your head is spinning and decisions must be made quickly. Unfortunately, mistakes are often made in these stressful moments that may later reduce the insurance compensation or significantly delay receiving it.

Leaving the scene too early is one of the most common mistakes. Before you leave, be sure to document all the damage by taking photos of the vehicles, marks, and surrounding environment. Without this, it will be difficult to prove the claim later.

Incorrectly completing the European Accident Statement may also prevent compensation. According to Ergo.ee, crosses are often placed in the wrong box, a signature is omitted, or the descriptions contradict each other. Take your time and complete the report carefully – if necessary, use the digital solution at avarii.lkf.ee, which is available in Estonian, Russian and English and helps prevent errors.

Failing to notify the insurance company of the damage in time is also a serious mistake. Insurance contracts usually specify deadlines, and missing them may complicate the claim—check your contract and act quickly.

Repairing the vehicle before the insurance inspection is a mistake that is often made in good faith. Unfortunately, the insurance company may not cover all repair costs if it has not had the opportunity to assess the damage itself.

Failing to collect witnesses' details at the scene is also detrimental, as their statements may later prove decisive.

Relying on a verbal agreement without written documentation is never sufficient evidence—even if the other party seems trustworthy, recollections may differ later.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: What should you do immediately after a traffic accident?
A: After a traffic accident, first make sure that everyone involved is in a safe place and, if necessary, call an ambulance or the police. Turn on the hazard lights, place a warning triangle on the road, and take as many photos as possible of the accident scene and the vehicles from different angles. Write down the other party's personal and vehicle details and insurance information, even if the damage appears minor.

Q: When should I use the European Accident Statement, and when should I call the police?
A: The European Accident Statement is suitable when two vehicles were involved in the accident, no one was injured, and both parties agree on the cause of the damage. The police must be called if the parties cannot agree on who is at fault, anyone was injured, more than two vehicles were involved, or alcohol played a role in the accident. If the police are called, do not move the vehicles before the officers arrive unless they are endangering traffic.

Q: How do you complete the European Accident Statement correctly?
A: The European Accident Statement is a two-party document that both parties complete and sign together. Carefully complete all mandatory fields—indicate the positions of the vehicles, clearly describe the circumstances, and draw a diagram of the situation. Correct any errors immediately at the scene and make sure that both parties receive a copy of the completed document.

Q: How should I communicate with the insurance company and apply for compensation?
A: After an accident, notify your insurance company as soon as possible and submit a claim online, via a mobile app, or at an office. Be sure to include photos of the accident, the European Accident Statement or the police report number, and the other party's details. Be accurate and honest when communicating with the insurance company – contradictory information may prevent or reduce compensation.

Q: What are the most common mistakes when documenting an accident that may delay compensation?
A: One of the most common mistakes is insufficient documentation of the accident scene—too few photos, incomplete details about the other party, or an incompletely filled-out European Accident Statement. Moving the vehicles before documenting the scene and waiting too long to notify the insurance company may also cause problems. To avoid a reduction in compensation, check before signing that all the details entered on the European Accident Statement are accurate and clear to both parties.

Quick response

What should you do after a traffic accident in Estonia? After a traffic accident, stop the vehicle, turn on the hazard lights, and make sure that everyone involved is in a safe place. Notify the police (112), document the damage with photos, and complete the European Accident Statement with the other party if no one is injured.

Do you have to call the police after a traffic accident? Calling the police is mandatory if anyone is injured in the accident, significant property damage has been caused, or the parties are unable to reach an agreement. In the event of minor damage with no injuries, the parties may complete the European Accident Statement themselves.

How should you communicate with the insurance company after a traffic accident? Notify your insurance company of the traffic accident as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours. Submit photos, the European Accident Statement or police report, and the driver's details to the insurer so that processing of the claim can begin promptly.

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Sources:

• [What to do in the event of a traffic accident](https://www.politsei.ee/et/mida-teha-liiklusonnetuse-korral) — At avarii.lkf.ee you can report a traffic accident at the scene using a smartphone
• [What to do in the event of a traffic accident? – Eesti Liikluskindlustuse Fond](https://www.lkf.ee/et/mida-teha-liiklus%C3%B5nnetuse-korral) — If anyone is injured or killed in a traffic accident, you must immediately notify
• [What should you do if you are involved in a traffic accident?](https://harjuelu.ee/mida-teha-kui-satud-liiklusonnetusse/) — In Estonia, a traffic accident report can also be completed electronically – Liik
• [Traffic accident: mistakes when documenting an accident that may …](https://ergo.ee/artiklid/eksimused-avarii-vormistamisel-mis-voivad-kindlustushuvitise-maksmist-venitada) — A traffic accident can be documented most quickly and easily using the Estonian Motor Insur

Please check the terms and conditions of insurance companies and legal requirements directly with the relevant authorities, as they may change. This article reflects the information valid at the time of publication, and Easyfind is not responsible for subsequent changes.