ACCIDENT REPORT

ACCIDENT REPORT

When a traffic accident results in material damage to the vehicles involved, the vehicle owners are required to fill out a damage report. The purpose of the accident report is for the people involved in the traffic accident to describe how the accident occurred in their own words and for this to be recorded.

Until April 1, 2008, only traffic police officers were responsible for filling out accident reports. However, after April 1, 2008, traffic police officers are no longer expected to arrive and fill out accident reports. The individuals involved in the accident can photograph the accident, fill out the accident report, and leave the scene.

The most important aspects of preparing an accident report are taking photographs or drawings of the traffic accident scene after it occurs. These details must be included in the accident report.

Another essential aspect of the accident report is that each driver must describe their observations while filling out the report, and these descriptions must be recorded. The accident report must be prepared in duplicate. Furthermore, these accident reports must be signed by both drivers. If the drivers do not sign these reports, they are considered invalid and will not be accepted.

Following a traffic accident, the accident report, a photocopy of the policy, photographs taken at the accident scene, and finally, the drivers' licenses and vehicle registration documents of the vehicles involved are collected and submitted to the insurance companies where the parties involved in the accident have their mandatory traffic insurance policies.

In some cases, it is not possible to fill out a traffic accident report for material damage. These situations include: if either of the drivers does not have a driver's license, if the driver is under the influence of alcohol or if there are doubts about the driver's mental health, if one of the drivers is a minor, if at least one of the vehicles involved in the accident belongs to a public institution, if the traffic accident has resulted in damage to the property of third parties, if one or more of the vehicles involved in the traffic accident do not have traffic insurance, or if the traffic accident has resulted in death or injury.

If such situations exist, a traffic accident report will not be prepared. Instead, the accident report will be prepared at the scene of the accident without altering the vehicle's condition or position. If drunk driving is involved, a traffic officer will be contacted for an alcohol test and report. However, if the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of the gendarmerie, the gendarmerie must be called, and statements from the drivers involved in the accident must be taken to prepare an on-site investigation report.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED IN THE ACCIDENT REPORT?

The accident report prepared following a traffic accident is a document that the drivers of the vehicles involved in the accident have prepared themselves, without needing the assistance of their insurance companies or the police.

The following documents are required for an accident report created as a result of a traffic accident:

• Photocopy of the policy
• Traffic accident report documenting material damage
• If available, any photos taken at the accident scene
• Photocopies of the driver's license and vehicle registration certificate

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN FILLING OUT THE ACCIDENT REPORT FORM PREPARED AFTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

Following the accident, photographs of the damage should be taken from different angles without moving the vehicles. Photocopies of the vehicle registration and driver's licenses of those involved in the accident should be obtained.

Only the people involved in the accident can fill out the report. Drivers do not need to be the vehicle owners.

The individuals involved in the accident must have their signatures on the document. Even if photocopies of the accident report are made, they must also sign these photocopies. If even one signature is missing, the report is invalid.

The information on the form must be filled out properly and carefully.

The policy numbers and insurance companies of the vehicles involved in the traffic accident must also be written down. Failure to do so will make it impossible to identify the policy and the report will be considered invalid.

The circumstances of the accident must be clearly documented. There is an important reason for this: it helps determine fault percentages and prevents problems in conducting further investigations.

It is important that this prepared report is used within its validity period. The general limitation periods of two and ten years, which are valid under the Turkish Code of Obligations, also apply here. In compensation cases, the validity period of accident reports prepared as a result of traffic accidents is two years.

Finally, drivers are required to keep an accident report form in their vehicles. Due to the circumstances of the incident, drivers may fill out the accident report form incorrectly. In such cases, the incorrect information should not be crossed out and the correct information written in; a new report should be created. This is because insurance companies sometimes do not accept reports that have been crossed out, as they may suspect foul play or suspicion.