Personal Data and Digital Security Seven Everyday Habits

Safety comes before photographs

Even a small collision can make it difficult to think clearly. Start by switching on the hazard lights, stopping, checking for injuries, and reducing the risk of a second crash. Only take photographs after people are safe. Under Article 54 of Korea’s Road Traffic Act, a driver involved in a crash must stop immediately, take necessary action such as helping injured people, and provide identifying information to the other party.

Call 119 for injuries or an immediate medical emergency. Call 112 when the crash involves injury, continuing road danger, suspected impairment, a driver who may leave, serious disagreement about what happened, or damage to public property. A police report may not be mandatory when the incident clearly involves property damage only and the drivers have already taken the measures needed to remove danger and restore traffic. When in doubt, reporting the crash creates a clear official record.

Step	What to do
1	Turn on the hazard lights, stop, and watch approaching traffic.
2	Check for injuries and call 911 when needed. Follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
3	Record essential evidence quickly, then move operable vehicles to a safe location if remaining in place is dangerous.
4	Decide whether a police report is needed and notify your insurer through its app or call center.
5	Exchange driver, vehicle, insurer, and contact details. Do not decide fault or rush into a cash settlement at the roadside.

 

1 Photograph from wide views to close details

Useful photographs explain how the vehicles reached the point of impact. Begin with wide views that include the road shape, lane markings, traffic signals, signs, and both vehicles. Continue with views from several corners, then move closer to the impact areas and surface evidence. Do not stand in an active traffic lane merely to obtain a better angle.

·        Wide scene: include the road, lane count, signals, signs, and both vehicle positions.

·        Travel direction: photograph the approach from each driver’s perspective when it is safe.

·        Impact areas: capture close details and medium views that connect the damage to the whole vehicle.

·        Road evidence: record skid marks, debris, fluid, rain, ice, or other surface conditions.

·        People and information: note the vehicle number, driver contact details, insurer, occupants, and witnesses.

·        Video preservation: lock or copy the dashcam file before normal recording overwrites it.

After wide views record the impact areas and road evidence

2 Report facts to the insurer

When opening a claim, provide the time and exact location, vehicle numbers, whether anyone is injured, whether each car can move, the other driver’s details, and whether police were called. Describe facts you can confirm. You do not need to estimate fault at the scene. Save the claim number and adjuster’s contact information, and submit the original dashcam file and photographs when requested.

If towing is necessary, contact the insurer’s roadside service first. When using an independent towing service, confirm the destination, base fee, distance charge, storage charge, and any additional fee before the vehicle moves.

3 On a highway move people beyond the guardrail

A stopped vehicle on a freeway shoulder can still be struck at high speed. Turn on the hazard lights, move the vehicle as far to the right as possible if it can be driven, and have occupants leave the roadway and wait beyond a guardrail or another protected area. Then report the precise location to emergency services, the road operator, and the insurer.

Current Korean rules require a warning triangle to be placed where approaching drivers can see it. At night, a red flashing signal, electric lamp, or flare visible from 500 meters in every direction is also required on expressways and motorways. Do not walk into traffic to place equipment if the route itself is unsafe. Personal survival comes first.

Place the warning triangle where approaching drivers can see it and wait beyond the guardrail

FAQ

Q Does moving the cars make my claim weaker

Not automatically. When the scene creates a second-crash risk, record the essential layout, lanes, vehicle positions, and impact areas quickly, preserve the dashcam file, and move to safety.

Q Must every minor collision be reported to police

Korean law allows an exception when the event clearly caused vehicle damage only and the drivers completed the measures needed to prevent danger and restore traffic. Report immediately when injury, suspected impairment, attempted departure, disputed facts, or public-property damage is involved.

Conclusion

Remember one sequence: secure the scene, check people, preserve evidence, and report the incident.