Car Accident Settlement in the Philippines

Vehicular collision statistics prove how dangerous Philippine roads can be, especially in Metro Manila with its many accident-prone areas. According to reports, about 12,000 Filipinos die yearly due to road accidents, a figure that has swelled steadily over the last decade.^[1]

Nobody wants to be part of the statistics, but accidents happen anytime. This is why you need to know what to do after a car accident—before it occurs. If you properly handle the aftermath of an accident, you can prevent the situation from getting worse and possibly make a successful car insurance claim.

Keep reading to know how to go about a car accident settlement in the Philippines. This article operates under the assumption that the other party is objectively at fault.

What is Car Accident Settlement in the Philippines?

A car accident settlement is an agreement where the offending party or their insurance company pays the victim compensation after a negotiation. Depending on the severity of the accident, both parties may reach an agreement and keep the case from getting to court.

Note: The content below is for informational purposes only. They’re not intended as legal advice. We highly recommend consulting a qualified lawyer for dealing with your case.

What to Do in Case of a Car Accident

Before you reach a car accident settlement in the Philippines, learn how to handle accidents properly:

👉 Don't Drive Away

When you figure in a collision, just stay put. Don't move your car to the roadside just yet, as you need to document the exact positions of the vehicles involved in the accident.

👉 Check if it's Safe to Get Out of the Car

Assess the situation before you alight from your car, especially if you're on an expressway where vehicles are speeding through.

Once you're sure you can safely get out, put it in park and pull the handbrake to prevent your car from moving. Also, turn on the hazard lights to make your vehicle more visible and place a warning triangle to alert oncoming motorists.

👉 See if Anyone is Hurt

Perform a thorough self-check. Also, check your companions to see if someone is injured and in need of immediate medical care. Check the people in the other car, too; they may also need immediate help.

👉 Visit a Doctor

You may feel perfectly fine after a car accident. But you might have sustained some internal injuries^[2] that aren’t obvious yet and may appear a few days following the accident. If you feel pain—even a minor one—head to your doctor immediately.

Read more:

How to Reach a Car Accident Settlement in the Philippines

If someone else causes the accident and you get hurt, you have the right to demand compensation for the damages. Here’s how to reach a settlement after getting into a motor accident in the Philippines:

Step 1: File a Report

The PNP vehicular accident report can help you strengthen your case. You need to file it as soon as possible.

While you’re at the scene of the accident, call the MMDA hotline at 136. Prepare a list of emergency numbers^[3] for times like this.

The MMDA advises asking traffic enforcers or investigators to be present. Stay until the authorities arrive and say you can go.

Step 2: Collect Evidence

A record of the accident will help your case. As such, take as many pictures as possible. Document the scene from various angles. If possible, take videos.

For photographic documentation, include the following:

The whole accident scene, including the position of the vehicles
Close-up images of your car’s damage
Pictures of damaged property
License plates of the vehicles

Other forms of evidence include documents that prove the extent of the damage and loss of income, such as the following:

Cost estimates from the casa or mechanic
Medical records that document your injuries and treatments
Medical receipts
Witness testimonies

After taking pictures of the accident scene and of your car, move your car to the side of the road. That way, you won’t cause a traffic jam or another accident. Make sure to keep your hazard lights on.

Step 3: Exchange Details with the Other Party

Approach the other driver and get the following details:

Name
Address
Contact information
Vehicle description, year, make, and model
Driver's license number
Vehicle registration information
License plate number
Car insurance provider
Insurance policy number

Likewise, share your details with the other driver. That way, they can contact you should they decide to settle.

Step 4: Reach a Settlement

At this point, try to make the settlement agreement happen. You can do so by talking to the other driver or their insurer. In case you and the other party are both insured, the insurance companies may negotiate the compensation terms.

The settlement will involve the other party paying you the agreed amount. If all else fails, consider filing a case. At this point, you may want to reach out to an attorney for legal advice for a vehicular accident in the Philippines.

⚠️ Don’t Settle Right Away

Even the most minor accident can be inconvenient, especially if you’re supposed to go somewhere at the time of the accident. The offending party may admit to their mistake and even initiate a car settlement agreement right then and there. They may offer a couple thousand pesos, so you can both go on your way.

Refuse it. You’ll never know the true cost of the damage your car has sustained until you get the estimate from your casa. Show the other party the estimate before they make the payment. After all, you have each other’s contact details.

Car Accident Settlement in the Philippines: FAQs

Car accident cases in the Philippines can get complicated. If you have other questions, you may find answers in this section:

1. Should I be compensated for business losses if the damaged vehicle is used for business?

If the offending party damaged a vehicle used for business, you may ask for compensation for the consequential damage, which may include loss of profit since you can’t use your car for business operations.

This is on top of the actual damage, which includes costs directly incurred from the accident, such as repairs.

2. Is business loss covered by the insurance policy?

That will depend on the provisions of the insurance. But usually, business losses aren’t covered by insurance policies.

3. The other party refuses to pay for the damages. What should I do?

If you can't reach a car settlement agreement and the other party refuses to pay, you may file two types of cases, depending on your situation.

If you’re after monetary payment for costs incurred, such as medical expenses and income loss, you may file a civil case.

If the offending party is proven to have acted with intent, negligence, and recklessness, you may file a criminal case for Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Physical Injuries.

But to determine if you really need to file a case, you must consult a lawyer and lay down all the details. Be transparent and don’t omit details.

4. Say I’ve filed a case. Is there an applicable time limit?

Statutes of limitations apply to both civil and criminal cases, so act fast. If your case is civil in nature, the time limit may be four years from the accident date.

For criminal cases, it will depend on the seriousness of the case. Some cases reach up to 10 years or even more.

5. I’ve decided to file for a car insurance claim. What are the requirements?

These are the usual requirements for a car insurance claim:

Police report
Insurance claim form
Pictures of your damaged vehicle
Car repair estimate
Photocopy of certificate of vehicle registration with MVRR number
Photocopy of driver’s license with official receipt (OR)

Note that you may have to submit additional requirements, depending on the type of incident you’ve gotten into.

Final Thoughts

After a car accident, most people naturally panic and get scared. But remember to stay calm and collected.

Getting into an accident is stressful as it is, and losing your temper won't improve the situation. Deal with it in a level-headed manner to avoid complicating things, especially when you're trying to reach a car accident settlement in the Philippines.

🚗 Find the Best Coverage for Your Vehicle

Considering switching to another car insurance provider soon? Don't settle for anything less.

Compare coverage from reputable car insurance companies in the Philippines. Get a free quote from Moneymax!

Car Insurance Company	Maximum Total Sum Insured	CTPL Coverage	Own Damage & Theft Coverage	Acts of Nature Coverage	Death / Disablement Coverage
FPG Insurance	₱4 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
Malayan Insurance	₱7.5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
The Mercantile Insurance Corporation	₱5 million		✔️	✔️
OONA Insurance (formerly MAPFRE)	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
PGA Insurance	₱3 million				✔️
SGI Philippines	₱5 million	✔️		✔️	✔️
Standard Insurance	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Stronghold Insurance	₱3 million		✔️