How to Fill in the European Accident Statement Form

The European Accident Statement form - known as the Constat Amiable in French-speaking countries, Europäischer Unfallbericht in German, and Oświadczenie o zdarzeniu drogowym in Polish - is a standardised document used across all European Union member states to record the facts of a traffic accident. It is the primary document that insurance companies use to process claims and assess liability. This guide explains every section of the form, shows you how to fill it in correctly, and highlights the common mistakes that cause claim delays. Whether you are using a traditional paper form or the online EASF tool at easf.eu, understanding the structure of this document will help you protect your interests after an accident.

The form’s standardised design dates back to a joint initiative by European insurers’ associations. Under EU Directive 2009/103/EC relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, all EU member states are required to maintain a motor insurance system that enables cross-border claims processing. The European Accident Statement form is the practical implementation of this principle - it ensures that regardless of where an accident occurs or what languages the drivers speak, the information recorded follows the same structure.

What Is the European Accident Statement Form?

The European Accident Statement form is a two-sided document designed to be filled in jointly by the two drivers involved in an accident. Each driver fills in their own side (Side A and Side B), while shared information - such as the date, time, and location of the accident - appears once and applies to both.

The form captures:

• Event details - when, where, and under what conditions the accident occurred
• Vehicle and insurance information - for both vehicles involved
• Circumstances - a standardised checklist of actions each driver was performing at the time of the collision (e.g., changing lanes, turning, reversing)
• Accident sketch - a simple diagram showing the positions of the vehicles, road layout, and point of impact
• Signatures - both drivers sign the form to confirm they agree on the recorded facts

The traditional paper version uses carbon paper so that each driver gets an identical copy. The digital version available through EASF generates a PDF that both parties can download and submit to their respective insurers.

It is important to understand that the accident statement is not an admission of fault. It is a factual record of what happened. The insurance companies determine liability based on the information provided, local traffic laws, and any additional evidence.

When Do You Need to Fill in This Form?

You should fill in a European Accident Statement form after any traffic accident involving two or more vehicles, provided:

• There are no serious injuries requiring immediate medical attention (in which case, call 112 first)
• The drivers are able to communicate and agree on the basic facts
• The accident involves insured vehicles

For minor collisions - parking lot scrapes, low-speed rear-end bumps, side-swipes - the accident statement is usually the only document you need. There is no need to call the police in most EU countries for property-damage-only accidents where the parties agree on what happened. For guidance on when you do need a police report, see our article on accident statement vs. police report.

You do not need this form if:

• The accident involves only your own vehicle (single-vehicle accident) - report directly to your insurer
• There are serious injuries - call emergency services first, then fill in the form later if possible
• The other driver flees the scene - call the police immediately

Step-by-Step Instructions

Event Details

The top section of the form records the shared facts about the accident:

1. Date and time of the accident - Be precise. Use the 24-hour format (e.g., 14:35 instead of 2:35 PM). The exact time matters for insurance processing and potential disputes.

2. Location - Record the exact address or road name, including:

   • Street name and number, or road designation (e.g., A4, E40)
   • City or municipality
   • Country
   • Specific landmark or intersection (e.g., “at the junction of ul. Marszalkowska and Al. Jerozolimskie”)

3. Injuries - Indicate whether anyone was injured, even if the injuries seem minor. If yes, note the number of people and the nature of injuries.

4. Damage to other property - Note any damage beyond the two vehicles (e.g., road barriers, fences, lamp posts, parked vehicles).

5. Witnesses - Record the name, address, and phone number of any witnesses. Witness testimony can be decisive in disputed cases.

Vehicle and Insurance Information

Each driver fills in their own column (Side A or Side B) with the following:

1. Policyholder / Insured party - Full name and address of the person whose name is on the insurance policy. This may differ from the driver if, for example, you are driving a company car or a family member’s vehicle.

2. Vehicle details:

   • Make and model (e.g., Volkswagen Golf)
   • Registration number (licence plate)
   • Country of registration

3. Insurance company details:

   • Name of the insurance company
   • Policy number
   • Green Card number (if applicable, especially for cross-border situations)
   • Insurance validity dates

4. Driver details (if different from the policyholder):

   • Full name and date of birth
   • Address
   • Driving licence number, category, and date of issue
   • Valid until date

Take your time with this section. Incorrect policy numbers or misspelled names are among the most common errors that delay claims processing.

Circumstances - Checkboxes

This is arguably the most important section of the form. It contains a numbered list of 17 standardised circumstances that describe what each vehicle was doing at the time of the accident. Each driver ticks the boxes that apply to their vehicle.

The circumstances include actions such as:

• Was parked / stopped
• Was leaving a parking space / opening a door
• Was entering a parking space
• Was leaving a private property, parking lot, or dirt road
• Was entering a private property, parking lot, or dirt road
• Was entering a roundabout
• Was driving in a roundabout
• Was striking the rear of the other vehicle going in the same direction
• Was going in the same direction but in a different lane
• Was changing lanes
• Was overtaking
• Was turning right
• Was turning left
• Was reversing
• Was encroaching on the opposite lane
• Was coming from the right (at an intersection)
• Had not observed a traffic sign or signal

Critical tips for the circumstances section:

• Tick only the boxes that accurately describe what your vehicle was doing. Do not tick boxes that do not apply.
• Count the total number of ticked boxes for your side and write the number at the bottom. This is a cross-check that helps prevent fraud.
• Be honest. If you were changing lanes, tick that box. The circumstances, combined with the sketch, tell the full story of the accident.

Accident Sketch

The sketch section is a blank area where you draw a simple diagram of the accident. It should show:

• The road layout - lanes, intersection shape, roundabout, road markings
• The position of both vehicles at the point of impact - use simple rectangles labelled A and B
• The direction of travel for each vehicle - use arrows
• The point of impact on each vehicle - mark where the vehicles made contact
• Road signs and traffic signals - if relevant
• Street names - label the roads

The sketch does not need to be artistic. It needs to be clear and unambiguous. Use straight lines for roads, simple rectangles for vehicles, and arrows for direction. Label everything.

In EASF, the sketch is drawn on a digital canvas on Side A’s screen. You can use your finger or stylus to draw directly on your phone. The impact point for each vehicle is marked separately on a vehicle diagram.

Signatures

Both drivers must sign the form to confirm that they agree on the facts as recorded. The signature does not mean you accept fault - it means you confirm that the information on the form is accurate.

What if you disagree? If you cannot agree on the circumstances or the sketch, note your disagreement on the form (there is usually a space for additional observations). You can still sign the form while noting your objection. If the disagreement is severe, consider calling the police to document the scene.

In EASF, each driver signs digitally on their own phone screen. The signatures are embedded in the generated PDF.

Common Mistakes When Filling in the Form

After reviewing thousands of accident statements, insurance adjusters consistently identify the same recurring errors:

1. Leaving fields blank. Every empty field is a question your insurer will have to ask you later, delaying the process. Fill in everything.

2. Illegible handwriting. On paper forms, this is the number one complaint from claims processors. If your handwriting is not clear, print in block letters. Better yet, use the digital EASF form.

3. Wrong policy number. Double-check your insurance card. A single transposed digit can cause significant delays.

4. Inconsistent circumstances and sketch. If you ticked “was turning left” but your sketch shows a straight-line trajectory, the insurer will flag this inconsistency. Make sure the checkboxes and the sketch tell the same story.

5. Not counting the ticked boxes. The form asks you to count and record the total number of circumstances you ticked. This is a verification step - do not skip it.

6. Adding information after signing. Never alter the form after both parties have signed. If you need to add something, both parties must initial the addition.

7. Signing a form in a language you do not understand. If the other driver presents a form in their language and you cannot read it, do not sign. Use EASF instead, where each driver fills in the form in their own language.

8. Confusing the policyholder with the driver. If you are driving someone else’s car, both the policyholder’s details and the driver’s details must be recorded. They are separate sections.

Paper vs. Digital - Why Go Online?

The traditional paper accident statement form has served drivers well for decades, but it has significant limitations:

Aspect	Paper Form	Digital (EASF)
Availability	Must be carried in the car	Always available on your phone
Legibility	Depends on handwriting	Always clear and typed
Completeness	Easy to miss fields	Guided section-by-section
Language	One language per form	Each driver uses their own language
Copies	Carbon copy (often faded)	PDF download for both parties
Submission	Must be mailed or scanned	Ready to email immediately
Timestamp	Manual date/time entry	Automatic digital timestamp
Photos	Separate, unattached	Embedded in the document

The trend across European insurance markets is clearly toward digital documentation. Insurers prefer digital forms because they are complete, legible, and arrive faster. For drivers, the advantages are even more compelling - especially when the accident involves someone who speaks a different language.

How EASF Makes the Process Easier

EASF (European Accident Statement Form) at easf.eu is specifically designed to eliminate the pain points of filling in an accident statement. Here is what makes it different:

• No download, no registration - open easf.eu/start in your phone’s browser and begin immediately.
• Two-driver collaboration - one driver creates a session and shares the link. Both drivers fill in their sides simultaneously on their own devices.
• Real-time sync - shared fields like date, time, and location update live on both screens.
• Five languages - Polish, English, German, Ukrainian, and French. Each driver selects their own language.
• Guided process - the form walks you through each section, so you do not miss anything.
• Built-in sketch tool - draw the accident diagram directly on your phone.
• Photo upload - attach up to 6 photos per side, automatically compressed for efficient storage.
• Digital signatures - sign with your finger on the screen.
• PDF generation - the completed form is generated as a professional PDF that meets the standard accepted by all EU insurers.
• Free - no cost, no hidden fees, no premium tiers.

The next time you are standing at the side of the road after an accident, you will be glad you know about EASF. Bookmark easf.eu now, before you need it. For a broader overview of what to do in the moments after a collision, see our step-by-step accident guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the European accident statement form accepted in all EU countries?

Yes, the European Accident Statement (also known as Constat Amiable) is a standardised form recognised by insurance companies across all EU member states. It has the same structure regardless of the country, as established under the framework of EU Directive 2009/103/EC. Whether the accident occurs in Poland, Germany, France, Spain, or any other member state, the form is valid and accepted by local insurers.

Can I fill in the accident statement form online?

Yes, you can use EASF at easf.eu to fill in the form online. Both drivers fill in their sections simultaneously on their own devices, each in their preferred language. The completed form is generated as a PDF that you can download, email to your insurer, or print. No app installation or account creation is required.

What if the other driver refuses to sign the accident statement?

If the other driver refuses to sign, note this on the form in the observations section. Document everything with photos - the vehicles, the damage, the scene, and the other vehicle’s registration plate. Collect witness information if possible, and call the police to report the situation. You can still submit your portion of the form to your insurer along with a written explanation of why the other party refused to cooperate. See our article on accident statement vs. police report for more details on when to involve the police.

Do I need to fill in the form at the accident scene?

Ideally, yes. Details are freshest at the scene, and both drivers are present. However, with EASF you can start the form at the scene and complete it later, as the session stays active. The important thing is that both parties agree on the facts. If you cannot complete the form at the scene (for example, due to injury or dangerous conditions), exchange contact information and complete it as soon as possible afterwards.