Road Traffic Accidents in Brazil

Information on what to do when you have a road traffic accident: who to call and what details are required for insurance after a car crash.

The procedure in the event of a road traffic accident in Brazil depends on the severity of the accident, whether there are injuries and if it is necessary for the police to be involved.

The road tax in Brazil includes compulsory limited third party insurance cover. This is known as Danos Pessoais Causados por Veículos Automotores de Vias Terrestres (DPVAT), meaning "personal injury caused by road vehicles".

In the Event of a Minor Accident

Failing to stop in the event of an accident to ensure that there are no injuries and exchange details is an offence. Stop as soon as possible in a safe place and exchange the following information with the other people involved:

Registration, make, model, colour of vehicles involved
Full name, address, identity card number (RG/RNE or passport number for a non resident), telephone number
Insurance details

There is no specific accident report form to be filled out. The insurer should be informed as soon as possible.

The vehicles involved should not obstruct the roadway during the exchange of details and should be moved to a safe position. The police do not need to be contacted if no one is injured and there is no damage to public or private property (such as traffic lights, signposts, barriers or buildings).

In the Event of a Serious Accident

Stop as soon as possible, inform the police and request fire or ambulance services (Bombeiros) if necessary.

Police Tel: 191
Ambulance or Fire Tel: 193

If the accident obstructs the roadway some kind of signal must be placed to warn oncoming traffic. Brazilians may use whatever is at hand.

Exchange the following information with the other people involved and do not leave the scene until the police have given permission to do so.

Registration, make, model, colour of vehicles involved
Full name, address, identity card number (RG/RNE or passport number for a non resident), telephone number
Insurance details

Police provide a Report Form that should be sent to the insurance company as soon as possible.