Support guides for road crash victims

This webpage is sponsored by:

For information about seeking legal support following a road crash, see Brake’s legal support webpage

Support after road death | Support after serious injury | Support after sudden death
Our standards, feedback & complaints | Government agency codes & standards | Giving back to Brake

support guides for roadcrash victims

As well as using the support guides below, if you have been bereaved or seriously injured in a road crash or are helping someone who has, you can also access support and information from Brake’s helpline on freephone 0808 8000 401. The Brake helpline is an accredited, professional source of emotional support, practical information, referral to other sources of help, and advocacy to help you overcome difficulties.

Support following a death on the road

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

If you have been bereaved by a road crash then the police are required to give you printed copies of the above guides for bereaved adults and may also have copies of our books for bereaved children. If you have not received these, call our helpline on 0808 8000 401, to be sent free printed copies and access over-the-phone support and information.

Support following a serious injury in a road crash

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 )

rehabilitation after a road crash injury

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.

Support following sudden death by any cause

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.

Order free copies of the booklet Coping with grief when someone dies suddenly

Support for suddenly bereaved children

Our book for children Someone has died suddenly available to buy in hard copy, 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.

Buy the book Someone has died suddenly for suddenly bereaved children to read with a parent, guardian or carer.

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.

Our standards, feedback & complaints

Brake’s support standards

Brake’s aims and standards for our support literature and helpline.

Feedback and complaints

Please give us feedback about Brake’s support and see our complaints policy.

Government agency codes & standards

Information about the standards of care that you are entitled to are outlined on our Government agency codes & standards page.

Giving back to Brake

Many of Brake’s supporters and volunteers have been affected by death or injury in a road crash and want to give something back to the cause, to help Brake campaign to stop more casualties and support other people who are injured or bereaved. There are lots of ways that you can get involved, including in memoriam donations and collections, fundraising, campaigning, and volunteering.

If you’d like to chat to us about ways to get involved, fill in our quick volunteer form.

Our funders

Brake's support guides are funded by public donation and by a number of agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, The Scottish Government and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.