Here are some steps you need to follow if you have been involved in a minor or major car accident.

For minor accidents

1. It is a legal obligation to stop your car by immediately turning on the hazard lights to signal other vehicles. Even if you think there was no damage, anytime you collide with another car or let’s say any other object on a busy road, you need to stop your car and move it to a safe side. 

Important Note: The Ministry of Interior has announced a fine of 1000 Qatari Riyals and three points to be registered against the license if the vehicles involved in a minor accident are not moved to the nearest parking area.

1. If the accident involves multiple cars then identify whose mistake it was. Exchange numbers with the driver and decide the nearest traffic department to meet and begin the process of the accident report. Note the number plate of the car involved to avoid any inconvenience.
2. At the traffic department, take a number and wait for your turn. There are separate male and female waiting areas. 
3. You will have to show your driving license and vehicle registration/Istimara card for your car. The police officer will come to investigate the cars involved in the accident and issue a report on the accident. 
4. The police officer will ask your mobile number, time, location, and how the accident occurred. If you are able to call a friend who can speak Arabic, it will be much better as only some of the officers at the station are fluent in English. Any miscommunication can be misleading. Be conscious of the conversation and do not accept the blame if you know very well that it is not your fault. Do not sign anything you do not understand, do not lose your patience or temper, and be respectful of the situation.
5. If you have hit the car, you will receive a message from METRASH2 stating a traffic violation fine of 100 Qatari Riyals which you can pay via METRASH2 application or Ministry of Interior official website.
6. If your car was hit by another car, you will receive a message from the car insurance company of the person who has hit your car. You can then print your accident report from this link and take your car to the garage, show them the report and the message on your mobile and they will repair your car.
7. If it’s a hit or run case or accident/scratch in the parking – Visit the nearest Traffic department/police station. An investigation file will be opened regarding your case with a waiting period of one week in case anyone comes forward to accept the responsibility, if not then you will be given a police report. You can show it to the garage and get your car repaired.
8. If you have hit your car with an object (Example: a wall) – Visit the nearest Traffic department/police station. You will be provided with a police report which you will show the garage to get your car fixed. If you have full insurance for your car, you can claim it, otherwise, if it is third-party insurance, you would have to pay for the charges at the garage.

And that’s it for the minor accident. 

As per new advancements, to save you the time of going to the Traffic department you can register accident reports and upload photos of the damaged cars in the minor accident using the METRASH2 application if the responsibility is clear in the accident. Open the application and select ‘Traffic’, then ‘traffic accident’ and ‘accident registration’, and enter the details. 

For major accidents

1. In case of accidents that involve high levels of vehicle damage and fatal injury, you should not move your vehicle no matter what the location might be. 
2. Check on yourself and others around you and call the Police (999) for rescue and make a request for an ambulance in case of injury.
3. When the Police arrive, you will need to show your driving license, vehicle registration/Istimira card, and insurance documents (optional). The police will investigate the scene at the location and determine who was at fault. If you are given a red paper, it will mean you are at fault and if you are given a green paper it will mean that the other party was at fault. You will have to accompany the police to the nearest police station.
4. At the police station, the car will be subjected to further investigation. If you are able to call a friend who can speak Arabic, it will be much better as only some of the officers at the station are fluent in English. Any miscommunication can be misleading. Be conscious of the conversation and do not accept the blame if you know very well that it is not your fault. Do not sign anything you do not understand, do not lose your patience or temper, and be respectful of the situation.
5. After the investigation, a report will be filed, you will receive an SMS regarding the information of the accident. If the other party was at fault you will get a message from the insurance company which will enable you to get your car repaired at the garage. Take the number of the other driver in the case, to know about the details of their insurance company.
6. You can then print your accident report from this link, take your car to the garage, show them the report and the message on your mobile and they will repair your car.

Remember: It is a legal offense for any garage in Qatar to repair a car involved in a major/minor accident without the paperwork from the police or an insurance company. Make sure when you go to a garage for repairing your car, you have your driving license, vehicle registration/Istimara card, Accident report/approval from the police, and Insurance company message/paper. Some insurance companies might also tell you about the garage where you can take your car.

Be mindful of the traffic rules and take extra care when you drive. 

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