A traffic accident or roadside breakdown is stressful anywhere, but it can feel much harder when you are driving in another country. The most useful preparation is to know the order of actions before anything happens: protect people first, stop safely, call emergency services when needed, exchange information, document the scene, and contact the insurer.
Korean law requires a driver involved in a traffic accident to stop immediately, take necessary measures for injured people, and provide identifying information to the other party. Police reporting requirements also apply, with a limited exception for clearly property-only damage when the necessary road-safety and traffic-flow measures have been taken.
This guide covers accidents, breakdowns, and roadside emergencies. Part 5 explains insurance coverage itself, while this Part explains what to do when something actually happens.
- Best for: foreign drivers who want a practical accident and breakdown procedure before driving in Korea
- What you'll learn: immediate accident steps, 112/119, information exchange, evidence, insurance, highway breakdowns, towing, and common mistakes
- Series: Driving in Korea
- Part: 9 of 10
- Official basis: Road Traffic Act / National Police Agency / National Fire Agency / Korea Expressway Corporation
Driving in Korea Series Roadmap
Part 9 of 10 · A practical guide to getting licensed, owning a car, and driving safely and confidently in Korea.
Progress: 9/10
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119 — Fire / Rescue / Ambulance
1588-2504 — Korea Expressway Corporation call center
Quick Answer: What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Korea?
2. Check for injuries and protect people from further danger.
3. Call 119 for injury, fire, or rescue needs; call 112 when police assistance or reporting is required.
4. Exchange identifying and contact information.
5. Photograph the vehicles, road, damage, plates, signals, and surrounding scene if it is safe to do so.
6. Contact your automobile insurer as soon as practical.
7. Move vehicles only when it is safe and appropriate after documenting the scene and following police or safety instructions.
8. Keep all accident, medical, police, towing, and insurance records.
Key Takeaways
- Korean law requires a driver involved in an accident to stop immediately.
- The driver must take necessary measures to help injured people.
- The driver must provide personal information such as name, phone number, and address to the victim.
- Accidents generally must be reported to police without delay, subject to the property-damage-only exception stated in the Road Traffic Act.
- 119 handles fire, rescue, and emergency medical response; 112 is the police emergency number.
- Photographs, dashcam footage, witness details, and vehicle information can be important later.
- On an expressway breakdown, place the legally required breakdown warning sign and take necessary action to move the vehicle away from the expressway when possible.
- Korea Expressway Corporation's emergency towing service can move eligible small vehicles from a dangerous expressway location to the nearest designated safe area.
1. Stop and Protect People First
Article 54 of the Road Traffic Act requires a driver involved in a traffic accident to stop immediately. If anyone is injured, take necessary rescue measures and avoid creating a second collision.
If the vehicles are in a dangerous traffic lane, focus first on human safety. Use hazard lights and, where safe and appropriate, move people away from moving traffic while waiting for police, ambulance, or roadside assistance.
2. When to Call 112 or 119
| Number | Use it for |
|---|---|
| 112 | Police assistance, accident reporting, traffic danger, dispute, suspected crime, or when police attendance is appropriate. |
| 119 | Ambulance, rescue, fire, serious injury, trapped occupants, or medical emergency. |
The National Fire Agency advises callers to explain that there is a patient or emergency, provide location information, describe the patient's condition, and follow emergency medical guidance while the ambulance is on the way.
3. Exchange Information
Korean law requires the driver to provide identifying information to the victim. In practice, record enough information for police and insurers to identify the parties and vehicles.
- Name and phone number
- Vehicle license plate
- Driver's license / identity information as appropriate
- Insurance company and claim contact information
- Date, time, and exact location
- Witness contact details, if available
4. Document the Scene Safely
If there is no immediate danger, photograph the overall scene before vehicles are moved. Capture the road layout, vehicle positions, lane markings, traffic signals, damage, debris, license plates, and nearby signs.
Save dashcam footage promptly so it is not overwritten. Note the time, weather, direction of travel, and anything unusual. Evidence is especially useful when memories differ later.
5. Contact Your Automobile Insurer
Call your insurer as soon as practical and follow its claim instructions. The insurer may arrange an accident-response representative, towing, repair guidance, claim numbers, and communication with the other insurer.
6. What About a Minor Property-Damage Accident?
Article 54 includes an exception to the general police-reporting requirement when it is clear that only the vehicles or other property were damaged and the necessary measures have been taken to prevent road danger and keep traffic moving.
However, if there is any injury, disagreement, uncertainty about fault, suspected impaired driving, refusal to exchange information, major road obstruction, or other safety concern, calling police is the safer course.
7. Expressway Breakdown or Accident
A stopped vehicle on an expressway creates a serious secondary-collision risk. Under Article 66 of the Road Traffic Act, if a vehicle cannot continue because of breakdown or another unavoidable reason, the driver must display the prescribed breakdown warning sign and take necessary measures to move the vehicle away from the expressway.
8. Towing and Roadside Assistance
Your insurer may include roadside-assistance services such as towing, battery help, tire assistance, or emergency fuel, depending on the policy.
Korea Expressway Corporation also operates the 2504 Emergency Towing Service for eligible small vehicles stopped in dangerous locations on expressways it manages. The service moves the vehicle to the nearest designated safe place, such as a rest area, toll office, or drowsy-driving rest area, with the corporation covering that safety tow.
The Korea Expressway Corporation call center is 1588-2504.
9. Common Accident & Emergency Mistakes
- Leaving the scene before completing required accident measures
- Arguing about fault while someone needs medical help
- Failing to exchange identifying information
- Moving vehicles immediately without recording the scene when it was safe to document first
- Standing in a traffic lane to take photographs
- Forgetting to preserve dashcam footage
- Accepting a private cash settlement without understanding injuries or insurance consequences
- Waiting inside or directly behind a disabled expressway vehicle in a dangerous position
- Using an unknown tow truck without confirming fees and destination
10. Save This Emergency Checklist
□ Turn on hazard lights.
□ Check for injuries.
□ Call 119 for medical / rescue emergencies.
□ Call 112 when police reporting or assistance is required.
□ Provide identifying information.
□ Photograph the scene if safe.
□ Save dashcam footage.
□ Call your insurer.
□ Move out of live traffic when safety requires it.
□ On an expressway, use the required breakdown warning and seek a safe area.
□ Save police, medical, towing, repair, and insurance records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stop after even a small accident?
Yes. The Road Traffic Act requires the driver involved in a traffic accident to stop immediately and take the required measures.
When should I call 119?
Call 119 when there is an injury, medical emergency, fire, rescue need, trapped person, or other situation requiring ambulance or rescue services.
When should I call 112?
Call 112 when police assistance or accident reporting is required, especially where there is injury, dispute, danger, or uncertainty.
Should I admit fault at the scene?
Focus on safety and factual information. Let police, insurers, and the evidence determine responsibility rather than arguing at the roadside.
Should I move the car after an accident?
Safety comes first. If remaining in place creates danger or blocks traffic, follow police or safety instructions and move when appropriate. If it is safe, document the scene before moving the vehicles.
What should I do if my car breaks down on an expressway?
Use hazard lights, protect occupants, display the required breakdown warning sign, move the vehicle away from the expressway when possible, and contact roadside assistance or Korea Expressway Corporation.
What is the Korea Expressway Corporation emergency-towing number?
The call center number is 1588-2504.
After an Accident: Preserve Safety and Evidence First
Move from panic to a fixed order: protect people from immediate danger → call emergency services when needed → record the scene and vehicle positions when safe → exchange identifying and insurance information → contact the insurer → follow police or roadside instructions as appropriate.
Photograph more than vehicle damage. When safe, capture the wider road, lane markings, signals or signs, license plates, impact area, debris, and surrounding conditions. Save dashcam footage quickly so it is not overwritten.
Official Resources
- Korean Law Information Center · Road Traffic Act — accident duties and expressway breakdown rules
- Korean National Police Agency — 112 police information and traffic-related guidance