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Driver guide

Accident statement in Poland
What to write after a collision

DEPartner / 2026-10-25

A minor collision is stressful anywhere, and even more so when the paperwork is in Polish. This guide explains the Polish oświadczenie sprawcy kolizji drogowej (the at-fault driver's collision statement): when it is enough, what it must contain and what to do step by step, so you can handle the scene calmly and protect your claim.

Collision or accident: two Polish words that change everything

Polish drivers, insurers and the police distinguish two situations:

  • Kolizja (collision): only vehicles or property are damaged and nobody is hurt. In everyday Polish this is also called a stłuczka (fender bender).
  • Wypadek (accident): someone is injured or killed.

Article 44 of the Polish Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym) says that every driver involved must stop without creating danger, take steps to keep traffic safe and, if nobody is killed or injured, promptly move the vehicle so it does not block or endanger traffic. On request, you must also give the other participant your personal details, the details of the vehicle's owner or keeper and the name of your OC insurer. OC (obowiązkowe ubezpieczenie OC) is compulsory third-party motor liability insurance: the at-fault driver's OC pays for the other side's damage.

If someone is injured or killed, the same article requires you to give necessary first aid, call an ambulance and the police, avoid anything that could make it harder to establish what happened and stay at the scene. In that situation a written statement is not enough.

When to call the police

For a collision with no injured people, the Polish police explain that drivers do not have to call them and may settle the matter with a written statement. Call 112 when:

  • anyone is injured, even slightly, including your passenger;
  • you and the other driver disagree about who caused the collision;
  • the other driver refuses to give their details or to write and sign the statement;
  • the other driver behaves aggressively, tries to leave the scene or you suspect they have been drinking.

When officers attend, follow their instructions. The police decide how the event is classified and whether anyone is fined, so there is no fixed penalty for "a collision" as such.

What to do at the scene, step by step

  1. Make the scene safe. Switch on your hazard lights. Under Article 50 of the Road Traffic Act, on a motorway or expressway you place a warning triangle about 100 m behind the car, and on other roads outside built-up areas generally 30-50 m behind it. A reflective vest is a sensible extra on a busy road.
  2. Check people first. If anyone is hurt, call 112 and do not move the vehicles.
  3. Clear the road. If nobody is hurt, take a few quick photos of how the cars stand and move them off the carriageway.
  4. Exchange details. Note names, addresses, driving licence numbers, registration numbers, the OC insurer and the policy number. Photograph the documents if the other driver agrees.
  5. Document the damage. Photograph both vehicles from every side, close-ups of the damage, both number plates and the surroundings. Write down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
  6. Write and sign the statement. Do it together in a safe place. Each driver keeps a copy or at least a clear photo of the signed version.

What the statement must contain

There is no single mandatory form. The statement can be handwritten on plain paper, as long as it contains everything the insurer needs. Polish insurer guidance lists these elements:

The event

Date, time and exact place: street, town, junction or road number.

Both drivers

First and last name, address, ID document number and driving licence number.

Both vehicles

Make, model, registration number and the owner's details.

Insurance

The at-fault driver's OC insurer, policy number and policy period.

What happened

A short, factual description: directions, manoeuvres, speed and weather. A simple sketch helps.

Damage and witnesses

Visible damage to each vehicle and witness contact details.

The key sentence. The at-fault driver should clearly admit causing the collision, for example: "Przyznaję się do spowodowania kolizji" (I admit that I caused the collision). Both drivers sign the statement.

A useful tip for foreigners: PBUK (Polskie Biuro Ubezpieczycieli Komunikacyjnych, the Polish Motor Insurers' Bureau) publishes a free joint statement form, Wspólne oświadczenie o zdarzeniu drogowym, in Polish, Polish-English and Polish-Ukrainian versions. Print one and keep it in the car. Never sign a document you do not understand.

The digital option: mStłuczka in mObywatel

The government app mObywatel includes a service called mStłuczka. According to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, you can use it when both drivers have mObywatel, agree who caused the collision and who is the injured party, the vehicles are registered in Poland and only the vehicles were damaged. Much of the data is filled in from state registers, you can attach photos and the statement has the same legal force as a paper one. The injured party can then send the claim to the insurer straight from the app. If the other driver does not have mObywatel, use the paper form.

After the collision: insurance and the claim

  • Check the policy. The police point to the website of UFG (Ubezpieczeniowy Fundusz Gwarancyjny, the Insurance Guarantee Fund), where you can identify a vehicle's OC policy by its registration number or VIN.
  • Report the claim. The injured party reports the damage to the at-fault driver's OC insurer, online, by phone or through mStłuczka. Attach the statement and photos.
  • Know the time frames. Warta explains that the law sets no fixed deadline for reporting, but you should report as soon as possible. The insurer generally has 30 days to settle, and in OC cases no more than 90 days from the report unless the case depends on court proceedings. The claim becomes time-barred after 3 years from when you learned of the damage and of who is liable, and no later than 10 years after the event.
  • Foreign-registered car. Note the plate, the country of registration and the insurer. For vehicles that need a Green Card, also note the card number and insurer. PBUK explains where to report: to the insurer's correspondent in Poland or, if there is none, to PZU or Warta acting as PBUK agent.

Driving for Uber or Bolt: extra steps

If a collision happens during a trip, your passenger's safety comes first: if they feel any pain, call 112. Report the incident through the help section of your driver app and call your DEPartner office straight away. Our teams in all 14 offices speak Polish and English and will tell you what happens next with the car. Offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:00-16:00, and the call centre Monday to Friday, 8:00-17:00, at +48 573 580 800.

Want to start driving in Poland with a partner that supports you on the road? You need to be 18+ and hold a Polish category B driving licence. Read our guide to becoming an Uber or Bolt driver or see cars for Uber and Bolt.

Apply to drive+48 573 580 800

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