I and my partner, who is not Taiwanese, had a mild car accident with an underage minor at the end of May, since it was our first time dealing with traffic issues, I thought writing down the whole process would help other expats.
How did it happen?
On the day it happened, we drove home after meeting some friends, chatting, and discussing what to eat later. I sat in the passenger seat, occasionally looking up from my phone to talk to my boyfriend. Everything seemed normal as we navigated through the slightly busy streets of Taichung, making turns and stopping at a traffic light. Just as we were about to move forward with the car in front of us, a black motorcycle suddenly sped into our view from the left. Even though we hit the brakes as soon as we saw it, it was already too late. Our car collided with the motorcycle.
How to Handle a Car Accident: Step 1
We were quite shocked at the time because this was our first car accident. Fortunately, there wasn’t much traffic that day, so after confirming that the other party wasn’t injured and taking photos of the accident scene, we left both the car and the motorcycle at the site without moving them.
Typically, many people suggest moving the vehicles to a safer location after an accident. However, we didn’t do this because, after talking to the rider, we found out he was underage and driving without a license. We decided to wait for his parents to arrive and handle the situation. Additionally, because the other party was underage, we were unsure how this would affect the calculation of liability, so we chose to wait for the police to handle it.
Tip 1: If an accident occurs and you confirm the other party is not injured, take photos of the vehicle or motorcycle damage immediately. If traffic is light, you may consider waiting for the police before moving the vehicles. This way, you’ll have third-party verification, which can be more protective for you.
How to Handle a Car Accident: Step 2
Here’s a reminder: if you’re unsure of your location when reporting the accident or can’t explain it clearly in Chinese, you can immediately use Google Maps to share your location with the police or ask a bystander for help.
After calling the police, they will ask you a few questions, such as whether anyone is injured or if an ambulance is needed. Just answer truthfully. Generally, if you’re in the city, the police should arrive within 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, you can take photos of the accident scene and organize your dashcam footage, but I recommend not talking too much to the other party.
Why? In my experience living in Taiwan, many people involved in minor accidents will suggest settling privately on the spot. This means not calling the police or contacting the insurance company, but instead, assessing the damage and compensating each other in cash. While this process seems convenient, it can become problematic if more significant damage to the vehicle or personal injuries are discovered later.
Tip 2: Never settle on the spot, and avoid excessive conversation with the other party.
Stay silent and wait for the police to arrive.
How to Handle a Car Accident: Step 3
Traffic Accident Report Form
When the police arrive, they will start taking photos, marking the scene, and recording details. They will also ask both parties to move their vehicles to the side of the road, followed by a breathalyzer test, and then you’ll state the police car. Since my boyfriend doesn’t speak Chinese, I acted as the translator. For foreigners, if you’re involved in an accident and need to give a statement but can’t find a Taiwanese friend to help, I recommend using Google or ChatGPT’s real-time translation tools, as these are the most convenient and least prone to error. However, you might need to ask the police to speak more clearly or request further explanation of technical terms.
We encountered an issue where the officer asked us, “Was there any 障礙物 (Zhàng’ài wù) at the scene that made it difficult for you to see the road conditions?” I translated “障礙物(Zhàng’ài wù)” as “obstruction,” thinking it referred to things like potholes or other vehicles. However, after my boyfriend asked the officer for the definition of “obstruction,” we realized it meant something different in the context of the police report. Considering how this difference in understanding might have affected the determination of fault, I was glad we asked for clarification. When the police confirm that both parties have completed their statements, they will give you a ‘Traffic Accident Report Form (交通事故當事人登記聯單)‘ to record basic information related to the accident. This document can be used for insurance claims and legal procedures, so be sure not to lose it.
Tip 3: If you hear unfamiliar terms while giving your statement, be sure to ask for clear definitions.
How to Handle a Car Accident: Step 4
Earlier, I mentioned that there might be a waiting period before the police arrive, during which you can organize your dashcam footage. I need to remind you not to hand over the memory card directly to the police. First, use your phone to record the footage from the dashcam, and then ask the officer during your statement if you can send the video via Line. It’s not that I don’t trust Taiwan’s justice system, but I believe that when you’re alone abroad, you should protect yourself as much as possible. What if the memory card gets lost? Then you’ll have no evidence, which would be quite scary!
Tip 4: Protect your dashcam footage, and always keep the original file. This is very important in Taiwan.
How to Handle a Car Accident: Step 5
Basically, that’s how you handle an accident. However, because the other party involved in our accident was underage and driving without a license, the police asked his parents (his guardians) to accompany him when giving their statement that night. After exchanging phone numbers, names, and ID numbers, we all went home. One thing to note here is that you can ask the police which precinct will handle the case, so you’ll know which police station will be responsible.
Since our car only had damage to the left front headlight, the repair cost shouldn’t be too high, but we still contacted the insurance company to ask whether we should file a claim. After discussion, we decided not to file a claim and instead directly contact the other party to see if they were willing to settle at the police station. This type of settlement involves both parties bringing repair estimates for their damaged vehicles, compensating each other, and signing a settlement agreement to resolve the matter.
The reason for this decision is that, based on my insurance agent’s experience, most traffic accident liability determinations in Taiwan are split 30-70 or 40-60, with 50-50 or one party being fully responsible being very rare. This means that if we chose to file a claim, we would also bear some liability. However, the dashcam footage showed that we were entirely the victims, and since the other party was underage, unlicensed, and made an illegal left turn, it didn’t make sense for us to bear any responsibility.
Tip 5: Discuss with your insurance maker whether to file a claim or not.
How to Handle a Car Accident: Step 6
Quotation from the car repair center
So, when the other party contacted us, we decided to arrange a day to meet at the police station where the accident was initially handled, carrying cash for the settlement. I later contacted the other party’s parents, who apologized for not properly educating their child. I must say we were quite lucky to encounter reasonable and communicative people because I know some parents not only allow their children to drive without a license but also threaten to involve gangsters in the situation.
The settlement process was simpler than I expected. You only need to bring the damaged vehicle to a repair shop for an estimate, take a photo of the estimate, and send it to the other party. Then, agree on a time to meet, bring the settlement agreement, seals, and IDs, and go to the police station where the accident was initially handled. Sign the documents, exchange the money, and the process is complete. As for choosing a repair shop, I recommend going to an authorized dealer. An authorized dealer means if you drive a Tesla, go to a Tesla repair shop, not a general one. Although parts may be cheaper at general repair shops, the quality can vary.
Tip 6: When repairing or getting an estimate for your car, choose a repair shop authorized by the car’s manufacturer to ensure the parts are reliable.
Summary
That’s pretty much all, I hope you know how to deal with the car accident in Taiwan! The following is a quick recap of the Car Accident Handling Guide (For incidents with no major injuries):
Steps
1.Assess the severity of the accident.
2.Call the police and wait for their arrival.
3. Take photos as evidence.
4. Provide a statement and take a breathalyzer test.
5. Exchange contact information.
6. Confirm if both parties agree to a settlement.
If agreeing to a settlement:
1. Get a repair estimate from a repair shop.
2. Confirm the amount with the other party.
3. Settle on a time and place for the agreement.
4. Bring a stamp, ID, cash, and the settlement form to the meeting.
5. Verify the settlement details and amounts.
6. Sign and stamp to complete the settlement.
Settlement form Example Download
There’s no special trick to writing the settlement, just listing out the information truthfully should be good.
