If the at-fault driver has left the scene of the accident, the main thing is to ensure people's safety, call the police and preserve as much evidence as possible. Whether the vehicle can be identified and an insurance or compensation payment obtained depends on the right actions in the first minutes.

Contents
  1. What to do immediately after the accident
  2. What evidence to preserve
  3. Whether a Europrotocol can be used
  4. Who compensates damage to the car
  5. Payment by the Insurance Payments Guarantee Fund
  6. If the at-fault driver is found

What to do immediately after the accident

  1. Stop and switch on your hazard lights. Place a warning triangle, and do not move the vehicle or objects connected with the accident unless they pose an immediate safety threat.
  2. Check on the people involved. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance on 103 or the single emergency service on 112. Do not delay a medical examination: information on the nature and degree of harm to health will be needed for the investigation and the payment.
  3. Report to the police on 102. Say that the other party left the scene, and describe the vehicle, its direction of travel, make, color and the license plate number or part of it.
  4. Document the scene. Take a wide shot of the accident scene, the position of the car, the damage, brake marks, broken glass, road signs and markings. Keep the original files with the date and time.
  5. Find witnesses and cameras. Write down the contact details of eyewitnesses. Check nearby shops, courtyards, parking lots and intersections: CCTV footage is often kept only for a short time, so tell the police about it as soon as possible.
  6. Notify the insurance company. Do so within the time limit and in the manner stated in the contract. Do not start repairs before the insurer has inspected and recorded the damage, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Important: do not try to chase the vehicle that left if this creates a risk of another accident. Do not sign documents with inaccurate circumstances, and be sure to obtain confirmation that your report has been registered with the police.

What evidence to preserve

To trace the at-fault driver, the following are useful: dashcam footage, photos and videos from eyewitnesses, the license plate number or a part of it, the make, model, color and distinguishing features of the car, and a description of the driver. Do not throw away broken glass and parts left at the scene: they can help to identify the model of the vehicle. The police documents should record the diagram of the accident, the damage, witness statements and the fact that the other party left the scene.

If pain, dizziness or other symptoms appear after the accident, seek medical help and tell the doctor about the circumstances of the incident. The causal link between the accident and the injury is confirmed by medical documents and, where required, by an expert's opinion.

Whether a Europrotocol can be used

A Europrotocol is not suitable when one party has left or has not been identified. The simplified procedure assumes the participation of two drivers, no dispute over the circumstances, and compliance with the conditions established by law. In such a situation, the police must officially document the accident.

Who compensates damage to the car

Under compulsory civil liability insurance, the payment is tied to the established liability of the insured person. Until the at-fault driver and his or her vehicle are found, it is generally impossible to obtain payment for repairs under that driver's policy. If the vehicle is found, the injured party can apply to the at-fault driver's insurer in the established manner.

Damage to your own car may be covered by a voluntary CASCO insurance contract, if the policy rules and terms include a collision with an unidentified vehicle or unlawful acts of third parties. The conditions, exclusions, deductible and notification procedure vary, so you need to check your contract and report the event to your insurer immediately.

Payment by the Insurance Payments Guarantee Fund

If the person responsible for a road accident has left the scene and has not been identified, the law provides for applying to the Insurance Payments Guarantee Fund. This payment is intended to compensate harm caused to the life and health of the injured party and funeral expenses. It does not cover damage to the car, other property, non-material damage or lost profit.

The entitlement and the amount of the payment are determined under the current version of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Insurance Payments Guarantee Fund" and the documents of the competent authorities. The Fund verifies information through government bodies. If the person at fault is later identified, the Fund has the right to bring a recourse claim against that person within the amount of the payment made and the related expenses.

Which documents may be required

  • an application for payment and a document proving the applicant's identity;
  • documents from the police or investigating authorities on the circumstances of the accident and on the failure to identify the person who left;
  • medical documents confirming the harm caused, the period of treatment and the degree of loss of working capacity, depending on the consequences;
  • documents on the death and on the applicant's right to receive the payment, if the accident caused the death of the injured party;
  • documents confirming the actual funeral expenses;
  • bank details and other documents provided for by law for the specific situation.

The exact list depends on the consequences of the accident and the applicant's status. Before filing the application, it is recommended to check the current list on the Fund's official website or obtain a written clarification. Submit authentic documents and keep copies of the application, the attachments and the confirmation that they were accepted.

If the at-fault driver is found

Once the driver has been identified, pass the information you have received to the insurer and find out which insurance company issued his or her MTPL policy. Provide the application, the police materials, and the documents on the damage and harm to health. The car should be presented for inspection before repair. If the insurance payment is not enough to fully compensate the confirmed damage, the difference may be resolved with the person who caused the harm voluntarily or through the courts.

Common mistakes by injured parties

  • leaving the scene before the police have documented it;
  • limiting themselves to a photo of the damage without a wide shot and the road situation;
  • not writing down witnesses' contact details and not reporting cameras;
  • repairing the car before it is inspected;
  • missing the notification deadlines set by the insurance contract;
  • assuming that the Fund pays for the car's repair when the at-fault driver is unknown.

Quick checklist

Safety and help for the injured → call 102/112 → photos, video and witnesses → official documentation → notify the insurer → collect medical and other documents → apply to the insurance company or the Fund on the appropriate grounds.

Services in compulsory types of insurance are provided only by insurance companies and branches of non-resident insurance organizations that hold the relevant license in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. An intermediary may advise and help with the paperwork, but the insurer under the contract is the licensed organization.

This material is for information purposes only. The payment procedure is determined by the circumstances of the accident, the terms of the contract and the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in force.