Support guides for road crash victims

Coping with Grief

This guide helps you understand common emotions and feelings following a road death. It provides straightforward advice on how to cope and who can help.

Coping with Grief ( web pages | translations and audio versions ).

Information and advice for bereaved families and friends following a death on the road

These guides contain information on what happens after a crash, practical issues, investigations and criminal charges, court cases, claiming compensation, and useful organisations:

Road crash bereavement in England and Wales ( web pages | pdf | translations)
Road crash bereavement in Scotland ( web pages |  pdf | translations)
Road crash bereavement in Northern Ireland ( web pages | pdf )

Picture book for children

Our book for children Someone has died in a road crash is full of warm illustrations and text that helps adults support children and answer their questions. Call our helpline on 0808 8000 401 for a copy or ask your police contact. 

We have also made PDF versions of the book and accompanying guide free to download. Please click below to access your copy.

Someone has died in a road crash
Supporting children and families bereaved by road death

What happens in an intensive care unit?

This guide (last updated 2005) is for families whose loved ones are being cared for in an Intensive Care Unit. It covers emergency admission to hospital, staff and equipment in an ICU, practicalities, recovery or death in an ICU, and emotional support.

( web pages )

Information and advice following a serious injury in a road crash

This guide (last updated 2014) contains information on hospital, rehabilitation and disabilities, claiming compensation, investigations and criminal charges, coping with emotions and feelings, and useful organisations.

Sudden is an initiative by Brake to help ensure people suddenly bereaved by any cause can access quality support, by sharing advice, best practice, research and resources among carers and support professionals.

Support for suddenly bereaved adults

This booklet on Coping with grief, available to download or for free in hard copy, helps you understand common emotions and feelings following a sudden bereavement. It provides clear information on procedures and straightforward advice on how to cope and who can help.

Support for suddenly bereaved children

Hard copies of our book for children, Someone has died suddenly, are available to order free of charge. This book helps families and carers support suddenly bereaved children of all ages through their terrible shock and grief and help them to lead full and happy lives again.

Advice and information for professionals working with suddenly bereaved people

Brake’s Sudden initiative offers research and guidance, seminars and training opportunities, support books, and a free bulletin for professionals who work with people bereaved by sudden death.