If you have a traffic accident in which there are only minor injuries and damage to property, the Highway Code states the following:
* All people and vehicles involved must stay at the site of the accident but without placing other vehicles at risk.
* Warning signs must be placed on the street in both directions to ward off further accidents.
* The police must be notified immediately.

If the collided vehicles are in the middle of the road and block the traffic, they must be moved to the side. Before moving them, though, take a few shots from as many angles as possible (close shots as well as distant ones), jot down the name of at least one witness who has seen their initial position, and record the accident on the handy table that follows. If the other driver refuses to give you his name - a totally outrageous thing, to be sure - take down his plate number and insurance company info - which you will find on a small card stuck on the windshield - as well as the names of a few witnesses, along with the place and phone where they can be reached. The latter precaution is especially important in any accident, let alone in cases that invite dispute. You should know that witnesses are often reluctant to volunteer their name and address, because they don’t want to get involved and to be later forced to testify in court (if things get so far). Should they refuse to give you the information you need, do not insist too much because you’ll only make them walk away. Take a good look at their faces instead, and when the police arrives point them out in the crowd. This will force them to provide the info requested.

Do not allow the other driver to leave before the police gets there. If you do, you run the risk of being fooled by an apologetic person, who will take full blame for the accident, only to go to his insurance company and deny the responsibility. This, of course, would make it very difficult for you to prove your case and to be paid for damages. If your motorcycle is badly damaged, you must be very careful to document the accident. Most insurance companies in Greece will do anything they can to avoid paying, and the only thing that will fully cover you is the Accident Report made by the police on the accident site.

If people die or get seriously injured, they should be taken to the hospital immediately. Everyone else, though, should stay there and wait for the police. The phone numbers of police precincts and first aid stations are given in this catalogue.

Source of the information on this page : “Unexplored Crete”, Road Editions. For more guidebooks and maps of Greece, click here.