Being involved in a road accident is stressful at any time. When it happens while you are on holiday in Spain and driving a rental vehicle, the situation can feel even more complicated.
Who should you call?
Should you move the car?
Do you need the police?
What details should you collect from the other driver?
And when should you contact Blanca Cars?
The most important thing is to remain calm and deal with the situation in the correct order. Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) recommends following the internationally recognised PAS procedure: Protect, Alert and Assist when dealing with a road accident.
For Blanca Cars customers, there is another important requirement:
You must report the accident to Blanca Cars and follow the company’s accident-reporting procedure.
Here is what you should do.
Step 1: Stop the Vehicle Safely
If you are involved in a collision, stop.
Do not simply continue driving because the damage appears minor.
If the vehicle can be moved safely and leaving it where it is would create an additional danger, move it to the safest possible location away from active traffic.
Switch on your hazard warning lights.
Apply the parking brake and switch off the engine when appropriate.
DGT’s PAS guidance puts protecting yourself, passengers, casualties and other road users first. It advises positioning vehicles safely where possible and avoiding creating another accident.
Step 2: Check Whether Anyone Is Injured
Check yourself and your passengers first.
Then determine whether anyone in the other vehicle, or any pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist involved, has been injured.
If somebody is hurt, call:
112
This is Spain’s general emergency number and can coordinate police, ambulance and fire services where required.
When speaking to the emergency operator, be prepared to provide:
- The road or street where the accident happened
- Direction of travel
- Nearest town
- Kilometre marker if available
- Number and type of vehicles involved
- Number of people injured
- Whether anyone is trapped
- Any immediate danger such as fire or vehicles obstructing traffic
Accurate location information can significantly help emergency services reach you.
Step 3: Do Not Move an Injured Person Unless There Is Immediate Danger
Do not unnecessarily move someone who has been injured in a traffic accident.
DGT’s accident guidance says the condition of vehicles and casualties should generally not be altered unless leaving them where they are creates a danger to the casualty or traffic.
Wait for professional medical assistance.
If there is fire or another immediate life-threatening danger, follow the instructions provided by the emergency operator.
Step 4: Use the V-16 Emergency Beacon When Required
If your vehicle is immobilised on a Spanish road after the collision, make sure approaching traffic can see that there is an incident ahead.
Since 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 has been the legal warning device in Spain for passenger cars and other vehicles covered by the requirement, replacing the traditional warning triangles.
The beacon should be kept accessible and, when needed, activated and placed as high as possible on the vehicle — preferably on the roof.
Do not walk along a motorway attempting to place warning triangles.
One of the main reasons Spain introduced the V-16 was to reduce the danger of people walking beside fast-moving traffic after a breakdown or accident.
For more information, see our guide:
V-16 Emergency Beacon in Spain: What Rental-Car Drivers Need to Know
Step 5: Contact the Police
Blanca Cars’ current accident procedure instructs customers who have been involved in an accident to contact the local police authorities and report the incident.
The company also requires the appropriate accident documentation to be completed for insurance purposes.
If there are injuries, significant danger or a serious accident, call 112.
Even where the damage appears minor, follow the instructions Blanca Cars provides regarding police attendance and documentation.
A police report can become particularly important when:
- Someone is injured
- Drivers disagree about what happened
- Another driver refuses to provide details
- Alcohol or drugs may be involved
- A driver leaves the scene
- Significant damage has occurred
- Public property has been damaged
- The other vehicle is uninsured or documentation is unclear
Step 6: Exchange Details With the Other Driver
Once everyone is safe, collect the other driver’s information.
You should obtain as much information as possible, including:
- Driver’s full name
- Contact details
- Vehicle registration number
- Vehicle make and model
- Insurance company
- Insurance policy information where available
- Details of the vehicle owner if different from the driver
Blanca Cars’ terms require customers involved in accidents to obtain the full details of the other party and any witnesses and to complete an accident report.
Do not rely on simply taking the other driver’s phone number.
Record the important vehicle and insurance information while you are still at the scene.
Step 7: Take Photographs
Your mobile phone can be extremely useful after an accident.
If it is safe to do so, photograph:
- Both vehicles
- Vehicle registration plates
- Damage to each vehicle
- Position of the vehicles
- Road layout
- Traffic signs
- Road markings
- Junctions or roundabouts
- Skid marks or debris where relevant
- Any damage to barriers, signs or other property
DGT guidance specifically recommends photographing vehicle registrations, models, damage and the position of vehicles after an accident.
Take several photographs from different angles.
Do not put yourself in danger by standing in a traffic lane to obtain a better photograph.
Step 8: Get Witness Details
If someone saw what happened, ask for their:
- Name
- Telephone number
- Email address where possible
Independent witnesses can be particularly useful if there is disagreement about how the collision occurred.
Blanca Cars’ terms specifically require renters to obtain details of possible witnesses following an accident.
Step 9: Complete the European Accident Statement
In Spain, you may hear this referred to as:
Declaración Amistosa de Accidente (DAA)
or simply a European Accident Statement.
The DGT states that the European Accident Statement should record information about the vehicles, damage, people involved and circumstances surrounding the accident.
Complete the form carefully.
Include:
- Date and time
- Location
- Driver information
- Vehicle registrations
- Insurance details
- Visible damage
- Circumstances of the collision
- A simple diagram showing what happened
Do not rush through it. Read more about how to complete the European Accident Statement form in Spain.
Do Not Sign an Accident Form You Disagree With
Your signature matters.
DGT guidance on completing an amicable accident statement says that the signature of all parties is important and that if there is disagreement about what happened, it is preferable not to sign the form and to call the police.
Read everything carefully before signing.
If language makes the form difficult to understand, do not sign something merely because the other driver is pressuring you.
Step 10: Contact Blanca Cars Immediately
Contact Blanca Cars as soon as the immediate safety situation has been dealt with.
Blanca Cars’ current FAQ requires customers to inform Blanca Cars or its rental partner within four hours of the collision.
The emergency number currently published by Blanca Cars is:
+34 653 221 333
When calling, explain:
- Your name
- Rental vehicle
- Exact location
- Whether anyone is injured
- Number of vehicles involved
- Whether police have attended
- Whether the car can still be driven
- Where the vehicle is currently located
- What damage you can see
Follow the instructions provided by Blanca Cars.
Step 11: Do Not Arrange Your Own Repairs or Recovery
Do not independently arrange:
- Mechanical repairs
- Bodywork repairs
- Windscreen repairs
- Tyre replacement
- Towing
- Vehicle recovery
unless Blanca Cars has authorised you to do so.
Blanca Cars’ rental terms include 24-hour roadside assistance and require customers to communicate accident incidents directly to the company.
Allow Blanca Cars to coordinate the appropriate assistance.
What If the Accident Was Not Your Fault?
Do not argue about responsibility at the roadside.
Collect the information, evidence and documentation described above.
Blanca Cars’ current terms state that where an accident involving another vehicle was not the renter’s fault, coverage depends on providing the appropriate damage report or police report.
This makes completing the paperwork correctly particularly important.
What If the Accident Was Your Fault?
Still follow exactly the same safety and reporting process.
Do not leave the scene or avoid contacting Blanca Cars because you believe you caused the accident.
Insurance conditions, excesses and responsibilities depend on the circumstances and the rental agreement.
Let Blanca Cars and the insurance providers handle that process.
What If the Accident Happens on the A-7 or AP-7?
Motorway collisions require particular care.
If possible:
Move away from active traffic.
Switch on hazard lights.
Activate the V-16 beacon and place it on the roof if the vehicle is immobilised.
Get passengers to a protected location only if they can reach it safely.
Call 112 if there are injuries or immediate danger.
Contact Blanca Cars.
Do not stand between vehicles or beside fast-moving motorway traffic.
For additional information, see:
Rental Car Breakdown on a Motorway in Spain: Step-by-Step Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Call the Police After a Rental-Car Accident?
Blanca Cars’ published accident procedure instructs renters to report the incident to the police authorities and complete the required accident documentation.
Call 112 immediately when there are injuries, serious danger or emergency services are required.
What Is the European Accident Statement?
It is a standard form used to record the details and circumstances of a road accident.
DGT recommends completing the relevant European Accident Statement or Declaración Amistosa de Accidente for insurance processing.
What If the Other Driver Refuses to Sign?
Do not force them.
If there is disagreement, DGT recommends not signing an account you disagree with and contacting the police.
How Quickly Must I Contact Blanca Cars?
Blanca Cars’ current FAQ states that the accident must be reported to Blanca Cars or its rental partner within four hours of the collision.
Can I Drive the Rental Car After an Accident?
Do not assume the vehicle is safe just because it still moves.
Contact Blanca Cars and follow the instructions you are given before continuing your journey.
Does Blanca Cars Provide Roadside Assistance?
Yes. Blanca Cars’ current terms include 24-hour roadside assistance.
Rental Car Accident in Spain: Remember These Steps
If you are involved in an accident while driving a Blanca Cars rental vehicle:
1. STOP SAFELY.
2. CHECK FOR INJURIES.
3. CALL 112 IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.
4. USE THE V-16 IF THE VEHICLE IS IMMOBILISED.
5. CONTACT THE POLICE AS REQUIRED BY THE BLANCA CARS ACCIDENT PROCEDURE.
6. EXCHANGE DRIVER AND INSURANCE DETAILS.
7. TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.
8. COLLECT WITNESS DETAILS.
9. COMPLETE THE EUROPEAN ACCIDENT STATEMENT.
10. CONTACT BLANCA CARS WITHIN FOUR HOURS.
11. DO NOT ARRANGE UNAUTHORISED REPAIRS OR RECOVERY.
The minutes after an accident can feel overwhelming, but dealing with each step calmly makes the situation much easier to manage.
Safety comes first.
Documentation comes next.
Then allow Blanca Cars and the relevant authorities to help you deal with what happens afterwards.
For Blanca Cars emergency assistance, use the contact information provided with your vehicle. The emergency number currently published by Blanca Cars is +34 653 221 333.