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When someone dies in a road crash in England and Wales

Information and advice for bereaved families and friends following death on the road in England and Wales

This guide aims to help you with practical matters and procedures if someone has been killed on a road in England and Wales. It can also help if you are caring for someone who has been bereaved by a road crash. You can download the complete guide as a pdf or click on the links below.

This page refers to the 2026 edition of When someone dies in a road crash: Information and advice for bereaved families and friends following death on the road in England or Wales. Published 2026. ISBN 978-1-906409-91-3.

When someone dies in a road crash (2026 edition)

Information and advice for bereaved families and friends following death on the road in England and Wales

Contents

Introduction

Includes information about how to use this guide and your right to support

Section 1: What happens now?

Things that often happen in the first few days after a fatal crash. Includes information about seeing, touching and identifying a loved one's body; post-mortems; return of belongings; visiting the crash site; what happened in the crash; what happens to vehicles.

Section 2: Practical issues

Practical issues that often come up after a road crash. Includes information about informing people; burials or cremations; legal issues; personal finance; the media; memorials; if the crash happened abroad.

Section 3: Criminal investigations and charges

Includes information and advice about: the police investigation; the Crown Prosecution Service; charging someone; criminal offences.

Section 4: Court cases

Includes information and advice about: attending court; being a witness in court; court procedures; appeals; prisoner release; inquests; restorative justice.

Section 5: Can I claim compensation?

Includes information and advice about: whether or not you can claim compensation; hiring and paying for a solicitor; types of compensation; preparing and negotiating your claim.

Get help from a solicitor

Click here to view a list of solicitors based around England and Wales who may be able to help you

Other essential information

Organ and tissue donation

Organ and tissue donation is possible after some deaths

Read more

Useful organisations

Get help from organisations that help road victims

Read more

Get help if a crash happened abroad

How Brake's National Road Victim Service can help you if a crash happened abroad

Read more

Criminal offences

Different offences that someone can be charged with after a crash, and their penalties

Read more

Government agency codes and standards

What you should expect from officials who provide help, information and advice after a road crash

Read more

Legal support

Find an expert solicitor who can help you after a road death or serious injury

Read more

Brake's National Road Victim Service

Get help

If someone you love has been killed or seriously injured in a road crash, Brake is here to help

Fill out this simple form, call 0808 8000 401 or email help@brake.org.uk

Open Monday to Friday 10am–4pm