Accident at the Dartford Crossing, A2 or M25: what happens next

Getting out of danger on the crossing, the M25 and the A2

Southbound, you're on the QEII Bridge. Northbound, you're in one of the two tunnels. If you have an accident on the crossing, put your hazard lights on, don't try to turn round or reverse, and follow the signs and any instructions you're given.

On the M25 and the A2:

• If the car can still move, get it onto the hard shoulder. Where there isn't one, use an emergency area or leave at the next exit.
• Get out by the left-hand doors, away from the traffic, and wait behind the safety barrier if there is one.
• Don't put a warning triangle out on a motorway. Walking back along the hard shoulder to place one isn't safe.
• If you can't get out safely, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and your hazard lights on, and call 999.

Why you do what the traffic officers say

National Highways traffic officers patrol the M25 and the Dartford Crossing in marked vehicles. They aren't police, but they can stop and direct traffic, close lanes and get damaged vehicles moved so the road can reopen. Follow their instructions, even if that means moving your car before you'd like to. Take photos first if there's a safe moment, but don't argue the point. Injuries and anything criminal are for the police.

Swapping details once you're safe

Vehicles on these roads get moved quickly, so you may end up exchanging details behind a barrier or at a safe place further on.

You need each other's names and addresses, registrations and insurance details. If a lorry was involved, get the haulage company's name from the cab or trailer, photograph the cab and trailer including any plates, and get the driver's name. If the vehicle is foreign-registered, note the country and photograph any insurance paperwork the driver shows you.

Photograph the damage on both vehicles and the other vehicle's number plate, and save any dashcam clip. If the other driver goes without giving details, report the accident to the police, no later than 24 hours afterwards.

Don't forget the Dart Charge

An accident or a breakdown doesn't cancel the Dart Charge. If you used the crossing, it still has to be paid by midnight the day after. When your evening has gone on recovery trucks and phone calls it's easy to forget, so pay it once you're home, or check your account has taken it. Missing the deadline can lead to a penalty charge notice.

Recovery after an accident at the Dartford Crossing

Damaged vehicles on the crossing and the motorway are usually moved quickly to keep traffic flowing. Your car may be taken to a safe spot nearby or to a recovery operator's yard. From there you'll usually need to arrange the next move:

• through your motor insurer's accident line, if your policy has one
• through your breakdown provider, but check your cover includes accidents, as not every policy does
• through us, as we offer recovery: ring 01322 930 719 and we'll bring the car to our Dartford site

If the car has gone to a yard, find out where, and ask about storage charges, which keep running until it's collected.

Getting the car to our Dartford site

Newbridge Accident Repair Centre opened its Dartford site in 2020. It's at Dewlands Estate, 94-98 London Road, Dartford DA2 6AX, on the A226 in Stone, between Dartford town centre and Greenhithe and about 3 miles from Bluewater. The site has held the BSI Kitemark for Vehicle Damage Repair since November 2023.

From junction 2 of the M25, take the A296 Princes Road through Dartford, then Watling Street and onto London Road. Coming along the A2, leave at the Dartford junction and follow the same A296 route, or from the Gravesend direction leave at the Bean junction (B255) and take the A296 Watling Street towards Stone.

Gravesend is about 8 miles and 15 minutes away, Swanley about 6 miles and 11 minutes, and Bexleyheath about 7 miles and 11 minutes. There's more on those routes on our pages for car body repairs in Gravesend, car body repairs in Swanley and car body repairs for Bexleyheath. Opening hours and contact details are on our Dartford accident repair centre page.

If you'd crossed from Essex and would rather the car went somewhere nearer home, our Basildon site does the same work.

Not your fault? Call us before your insurer

Ring Newbridge Dartford on 01322 930 719 first. Your insurer still needs to hear that there's been an accident, but telling them is not the same as claiming on your policy.

With a non-fault accident claim, the other driver's insurer pays, and it's us who chases them for the money, not you. You won't pay an excess or lose any no claims bonus, and you'll have a similar car to drive while yours is in the workshop, free of charge. An independent engineer agrees the repair cost with us, or gives a fair written valuation if the car isn't worth repairing.

If you were at fault, we'll send your insurer an estimate and get it approved, and if they don't offer a courtesy car we may have one available from our own fleet. Our accident repairs page explains more. Driveable cars can be priced from photos through our quote form, and our Dartford Google reviews show what customers made of us.