A car accident in Dubai can leave you unsure about what to do first, especially when traffic is moving around you and you need to deal with injuries, police procedures, vehicle damage, and insurance. The safest approach is to secure the accident scene, check for injuries, contact the correct emergency service, report the collision, document the damage, and then follow the insurance process. The exact steps depend on whether the accident is minor, whether anyone is injured, and whether the vehicles can still move.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Dubai?

After an accident, focus on safety before discussing responsibility or vehicle damage.

Follow these steps:

1. Stop the vehicle safely.

2. Turn on the hazard lights.

3. Check whether anyone is injured.

4. Call 999 if the accident involves injuries or another emergency.

5. Move a drivable vehicle to a safe position if it is possible and safe to do so.

6. Stay away from moving traffic while waiting for assistance.

7. Report the accident through the appropriate Dubai Police channel.

8. Take photographs and record relevant details when it is safe.

9. Contact your insurance provider after obtaining the accident report.

The UAE Government advises drivers to call 999 for road accidents, provide the location, and follow police instructions. For a minor accident where nobody is injured, a vehicle may be moved to the shoulder to avoid obstructing traffic. When someone is injured, the government guidance says vehicles should generally remain where they are while waiting for an ambulance.

1. Check for Injuries First

Your first priority should be people, not the vehicle.

Check everyone involved in the collision and identify anyone who needs medical assistance. Call 999 and request an ambulance when there are injuries or an emergency.

Do not move an injured person unless leaving them where they are creates an immediate danger. The current RTA driving handbook specifically warns that moving an injured person can worsen certain injuries. It also advises against giving first aid unless you are qualified to do so.

If someone is injured

• Call 999.

• Give the operator your exact location.

• Explain what happened.

• Tell the operator how many people are injured.

• Follow instructions from the emergency services.

• Keep yourself and other people away from moving traffic.

• Do not remove an injured motorcyclist's helmet.

• Do not move an injured person unless necessary to escape immediate danger.

2. Move the Vehicle if It Is Safe

Dubai's road-safety guidance distinguishes between accidents where vehicles remain movable and situations where moving them could create additional danger.

If the accident is minor, nobody is injured, and the vehicle can be moved safely, move it away from the live carriageway or toward the shoulder. This helps reduce the risk of another collision and prevents unnecessary traffic obstruction.

If the vehicle cannot move, switch on the hazard lights and remain in a safe location. Avoid standing directly in front of or behind the vehicle, particularly at night.

If you need another vehicle after the accident, arranging daily car rental in Dubai can provide temporary transport while your damaged vehicle goes through an inspection or repair process. Whether this is practical depends on your insurance coverage, rental agreement, and the length of the repair period.

3. Report the Accident to Dubai Police

Drivers involved in a collision should report the accident and follow the instructions provided by the authorities.

For an emergency, call 999. Dubai Police also lists 901 for non-emergency inquiries.

For minor accidents, the UAE Government confirms that drivers can use digital channels to report accidents, including the Dubai Police app.

Dubai Police also provides a Simple Accident Report service for eligible minor collisions.

Which number should you call?

RTA lists 800 9090 as its call-centre number for transport and road-related services.

4. Take Photos and Record the Accident Details

Once you are in a safe position, document the scene.

Useful evidence includes:

• Damage to your vehicle

• Damage to the other vehicle

• Vehicle registration plates

• The position of the vehicles, where safe to photograph

• Road markings and traffic signs

• Visible debris

• Nearby property damage

• Relevant road conditions

• The surrounding location

Avoid creating a dangerous situation just to take photographs. Do not walk into active traffic lanes or stand in unsafe areas.

If witnesses are available, record their contact details when appropriate. Do not argue with another driver about who caused the accident. Let the police report and other official evidence establish the relevant facts.

5. Get the Official Accident Report

The accident report becomes important when you deal with insurance, repairs, or other related procedures.

Dubai Police provides services connected with traffic accident reports, including services for obtaining a previously issued accident report.

Keep a copy of the report and any reference number issued during the reporting process.

Why does the accident report matter?

The report can help you:

• Submit an insurance claim

• Establish the reported circumstances of the collision

• Start vehicle repair procedures

• Provide documentation to the vehicle owner or rental company

• Support communication with the insurer

• Keep an official record of the incident

The exact insurance requirements can vary according to the policy and circumstances of the accident.

6. Contact Your Insurance Company

After reporting the accident, notify your insurer as soon as possible and follow its claims procedure.

Have the following information ready:

Do not assume that every repair, replacement, towing charge, or temporary vehicle expense will automatically be covered. Check the terms of your policy before authorising costs.

For example, RTA's own service information notes that accident-related insurance benefits depend on the terms and conditions agreed with the insurance company.

7. Do Not Repair the Vehicle Before Following the Insurance Process

Avoid immediately arranging major repairs before understanding what your insurer requires.

The insurer may need to inspect the vehicle or review the accident documentation before approving repairs. Follow the claims instructions provided by your insurance company.

This is particularly important after a serious collision where the vehicle has substantial body, mechanical, electrical, or safety-system damage.

8. What If the Car Cannot Be Driven?

A damaged vehicle may need recovery or roadside assistance.

Do not attempt to drive a vehicle if the collision has affected important safety components such as:

• Steering

• Brakes

• Wheels or suspension

• Tyres

• Lights

• Vehicle structure

• Airbags or other restraint systems

If the vehicle is unsafe to drive, arrange appropriate recovery through your insurer, roadside-assistance provider, vehicle owner, or rental company.

Dubai's traffic-incident management system also supports the handling and clearance of vehicles involved in incidents and broken-down vehicles on key roads.

9. What Should You Do If the Accident Involves a Rental Car?

The process has an additional step when the vehicle belongs to a rental company.

First, report the accident through the required Dubai Police channel. Then contact the rental company and provide the accident report and other requested documents.

Do not arrange repairs yourself unless the rental agreement or rental company specifically authorises you to do so.

If the rental vehicle becomes unavailable for the remainder of your trip, check the rental agreement for its accident, replacement-vehicle, insurance, and recovery procedures. If you still need transportation, monthly car rental options in Dubai may be relevant when repairs or travel arrangements extend beyond a few days.

The rental agreement remains important because insurance excess, damage responsibilities, recovery charges, replacement vehicles, and other costs can differ between rental providers.

10. What Happens After the Accident Report?

Once the accident has been reported, the next steps normally involve documentation, insurance, vehicle inspection, and repairs.

A typical sequence looks like this:

Accident → Safety check → Police report → Documentation → Insurance claim → Vehicle inspection → Repair or recovery

The exact process can change according to the severity of the accident, insurance policy, vehicle condition, and whether another vehicle or property was involved.

What Not to Do After a Car Accident in Dubai

Avoid actions that can create additional safety, legal, or insurance problems.

• Do not leave the accident scene without following the required reporting procedure.

• Do not argue aggressively with the other driver.

• Do not admit liability before the relevant authorities and insurer assess the incident.

• Do not move an injured person unless necessary to escape immediate danger.

• Do not stand in a live traffic lane to photograph the accident.

• Do not drive a vehicle that is unsafe.

• Do not start major repairs before checking the insurer's requirements.

• Do not ignore the accident report.

• Do not provide inaccurate information to the police or insurer.

RTA guidance specifically instructs drivers to provide truthful information about a crash and to take appropriate precautions around injured people and live traffic.

What Documents Should You Keep After a Dubai Car Accident?

Create a simple accident file containing the key documents and records.

Keep:

• Dubai Police accident report

• Insurance policy information

• Vehicle registration

• Driving licence

• Photographs and videos

• Other driver's details

• Witness information, where available

• Insurance claim reference

• Repair estimates or inspection documents

• Towing or recovery records

• Correspondence with the insurer

Keeping these records together makes it easier to answer questions from the insurer, repair facility, rental company, or relevant authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What number do I call after a car accident in Dubai?

Call 999 when the accident involves an emergency or injuries. Dubai Police lists 901 for non-emergency inquiries.

Can I move my car after a minor accident in Dubai?

Yes, if the accident is minor, nobody is injured, and the vehicle can be moved safely. UAE Government guidance says drivers can move the vehicle to the shoulder to avoid blocking traffic.

Can I report a minor accident online in Dubai?

Yes. The UAE Government lists the Dubai Police app among the digital channels available for reporting minor accidents.

What should I do if someone is injured?

Call 999, request an ambulance, give your location and follow the emergency operator's instructions. Avoid moving injured people unless leaving them in place creates an immediate danger.

Should I contact my insurance company after the accident?

Yes. Contact your insurer and follow its claims procedure after obtaining the relevant accident documentation. Your policy determines the applicable coverage, excess, and claims requirements.

Can I drive my car after an accident?

Only drive it if it remains safe and roadworthy. If the collision affects the steering, brakes, wheels, tyres, structure, lights, airbags, or another critical component, arrange appropriate recovery instead.

Final Checklist: Car Accident in Dubai

Use this checklist when you need to act quickly:

• Stop safely and switch on hazard lights.

• Check everyone for injuries.

• Call 999 if there is an emergency or injury.

• Move a drivable vehicle away from traffic when it is safe.

• Report the accident through the appropriate Dubai Police channel.

• Photograph the vehicles and relevant scene details from a safe location.

• Exchange or record the necessary vehicle and driver information.

• Obtain the accident report.

• Notify your insurance company.

• Follow the insurer's inspection and repair instructions.

• Arrange recovery if the vehicle cannot be driven safely.

• Keep all reports, photographs, claim references, and repair documents.

A calm, documented response makes the aftermath of a Dubai car accident easier to manage. Put safety first, follow Dubai Police and RTA instructions, preserve accurate evidence, and complete the insurance process before moving on to repairs or replacement transport.