Română
When a road accident in Romania involves injury, protecting life and immediately notifying the emergency services are the first priorities. After the emergency response, medical documentation and preservation of evidence may affect both the official investigation and any later compensation claim.
The steps below are general. A person’s role in the accident, medical condition and the authorities’ findings may change the duties and legal options that apply.
1. Call 112 and protect the people involved
If anyone is injured or an injury is suspected, call 112 immediately and follow the operator’s instructions. Give the location as precisely as possible, the approximate number of people involved, their apparent condition and any additional danger at the scene.
Do not attempt medical procedures for which you are not trained, except as directed by emergency personnel. The area should be made as safe as reasonably possible, but the scene of an injury accident must not be altered without the authorities’ permission, except for measures strictly necessary to protect life.
2. Do not leave or alter the accident scene
Romanian Emergency Ordinance no. 195/2002 requires a driver involved in an accident resulting in death or injury to notify the police immediately, not to alter or remove traces and not to leave the scene. The law contains particular exceptions, but they require careful interpretation.
Do not consume alcohol or substances that could affect testing after the event. If treatment is required, tell medical personnel that you were involved in an accident and follow their instructions.
3. Obtain and retain medical documents
Some consequences may become apparent later even when the first symptoms seem minor. Obtain an appropriate medical assessment and describe your symptoms fully and accurately.
Keep a single file containing:
- ambulance and emergency department records and discharge papers;
- investigation results, diagnoses and medical recommendations;
- prescriptions, medical leave records and the rehabilitation plan;
- invoices and receipts for treatment, medication and transport;
- documents recording follow-up assessments and recovery.
Follow medical recommendations and attend scheduled reviews. An unexplained interruption of treatment can affect recovery and make it harder to demonstrate the consequences of the accident.
4. Preserve lawfully available evidence
The authorities investigate how the accident occurred, but those involved may also preserve information to which they lawfully have access. Relevant material may include:
- photographs of the vehicles, road surface and traffic signs;
- contact details voluntarily provided by witnesses;
- dashcam or nearby security recordings;
- vehicle, driver and insurance details;
- damaged personal property and evidence of its value.
Do not publish images of injured people or disclose personal data and case information on social media. A post made under pressure may breach another person’s privacy and complicate the proceedings.
5. Write down the chronology
While events are fresh, record the time, place, traffic conditions, direction of travel, people present and relevant conversations. Distinguish clearly between what you observed personally and what you learned later.
Do not draw technical conclusions without the required expertise or fill gaps in your memory with assumptions. A careful and accurate account is more useful than a confident but uncertain one.
6. Check the capacity in which you are questioned
In a Romanian criminal investigation concerning an injury accident, a person may be interviewed as a witness, injured party, suspect or defendant. Each capacity carries different rights and duties. Read any summons or procedural document and request clarification before giving a statement if your role is unclear.
If you were a driver or responsibility is disputed, consulting a lawyer before the interview can help you understand the procedure and present the facts accurately.
7. Notify the insurer and organise the file
Identify the competent RCA insurer and check its notification procedure. Keep the claim reference, all messages, acknowledgements of receipt and copies of every document submitted.
Do not confuse the criminal investigation with the compensation procedure. They can affect one another, but they have different purposes and stages. A separate, documented compensation application may be required.
Mistakes that may complicate the situation
- leaving or altering the scene without permission;
- unreasonably delaying a medical assessment;
- losing invoices, recommendations or correspondence;
- signing a statement or settlement you do not understand;
- publishing case details or images of those involved;
- accepting an offer before the consequences are properly assessed.
When should you consult a lawyer?
Legal assistance can be important where the accident caused serious injuries, accounts conflict, you received a summons, your driving licence was retained, the insurer disputes the loss or the medical condition has long-term consequences.
For representation in proceedings following an accident, see our road accident lawyer service. For recovery of loss, read our guide to compensation after a road accident in Romania.
Frequently asked questions
What if an injured person says they feel well?
If there are signs or a reasonable suspicion of injury, act cautiously and call 112. Medical assessment belongs to qualified personnel.
May I move the vehicle?
For an accident involving injury, the general rule is not to alter the scene without the authorities’ permission, except for steps strictly necessary to protect life. Follow police and emergency-service instructions.
Is an agreed accident statement sufficient?
The Romanian agreed accident statement is intended for eligible incidents involving property damage only. It does not replace the procedure applicable to accidents involving injury.
When should I speak to a lawyer?
As early as possible where there is injury, a criminal investigation or uncertainty about responsibility. Early advice can help preserve documents and clarify the next steps.
Discuss your situation with a lawyer
If you were involved in a road accident with injuries in Romania, request a legal assessment. Provide the available chronology and documents; the legal analysis will depend on the particular facts.
Indicative sources: Romanian Emergency Ordinance no. 195/2002 on road traffic and Law no. 132/2017 on compulsory motor liability insurance. This article is for information only and is not individual legal advice.
