Accident on a Riyadh Ring Road: Najm, Police Report, Then Tow
A collision on the ring road rattles anyone. Here is the right order from the first minute: safety, photos, Najm or the traffic police, then the tow, without losing your claim.
After an accident on a Riyadh ring road, first make sure everyone is safe and the hazards are on, then photograph both cars and their positions and report it: to Najm if it is minor with no injuries and both cars are insured, or to the traffic police and emergency services if anyone is hurt or there is a dispute. Only once the report is issued should the car be moved by flatbed to the workshop, assessment centre or home your insurer needs.
That order matters, because doing things out of sequence can cost you your insurance claim or put you in danger of a second collision. This guide walks through each step from the first minute until your car reaches the workshop, based on 10 years of carrying accident cars off the Northern, Eastern and Southern Ring Roads.
An accident report is an official document issued by Najm or the traffic police that sets each driver's share of fault, and insurers rely on it to pay compensation or fund repairs.
What should I do first after an accident on a Riyadh ring road?
The first priority after a ring road accident in Riyadh is protecting yourself from a second collision, because traffic passes at more than 100 km/h and the driver behind does not expect a stopped car.
- Switch on your hazard lights straight away, even before getting out.
- Check for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call emergency services first and do not move the injured person.
- Get out on the side away from traffic if you can, and move passengers behind the barrier or onto the verge.
- Place a warning triangle 50 to 100 metres behind the car, and further back on bends.
- Never stand between the two cars or in front of them. That is the most dangerous place if someone hits from behind.
At night, wear something light-coloured or reflective and stay well clear of the road. Many injuries on ring roads happen minutes after the first collision, to people standing beside their cars arguing about what happened.
Najm or the traffic police: who do I call?
In Riyadh, Najm handles accidents with no injuries where the cars are insured and the drivers cooperate, while the traffic police handle accidents with injuries or deaths, uninsured vehicles, hit-and-run drivers or serious disputes.
- Minor, no injuries, all cars insured: report to Najm through the app or by phone. For some minor accidents, the process can be completed with photos through the app.
- Anyone injured: emergency services first, then the traffic police take over the scene.
- Uninsured car or a driver who fled: call the traffic police, and note the plate number, colour and make of the other car.
If you are not sure which applies, report through the unified emergency service and they will direct you. The key point is not to leave the scene before you have a report or reference number.
The photos that protect your claim
Photos are your strongest evidence after an accident, and you need at least 8 before either car moves:
- A wide shot showing both cars and their position in the lanes.
- Close-ups of all damage on both cars.
- Both number plates, clearly.
- Road markings or signs that show the location, such as the exit number.
- Skid marks or broken glass on the road.
A short video walking around both cars helps too. If the other driver agrees, photograph their registration and licence and take their phone number. These details can save days if you need to chase your insurer.
When can I move the car?
Moving the car after a minor ring road accident is expected once you have photographed it, because leaving cars in a live lane causes congestion and secondary crashes, and authorities ask drivers to clear the road when the cars can be driven.
If both cars drive safely, photograph first, then move to the shoulder or the nearest exit and wait for Najm there. If anyone is injured, the car will not drive, fuel or oil is leaking, or a tyre has burst and the rim is damaged, do not move it yourself. Wait behind the barrier for the authorities, and once they release it, the flatbed lifts it from where it stands.
Parts of the Eastern Ring Road have narrow shoulders and heavy lorry traffic, which makes long stops dangerous. That is why we prioritise Towing service in Eastern Ring Road calls, loading the car from the safe side of the lane and clearing the shoulder as quickly as we safely can.
After the report: where should the car go?
Where the car goes after a Najm or police report depends on the fault split, your type of insurance and what the insurer asks for. In most cases there are three options:
- A damage assessment centre: some insurers want an official assessment before any repair, and a car that will not drive needs a flatbed to get there.
- An insurer-approved workshop: with comprehensive cover, or when the other driver is at fault, the insurer often names a workshop or a list of workshops.
- Home, temporarily: if the paperwork will take days and the car cannot stay at the scene.
Ask your insurer before choosing, so the car is not moved twice. If it does need another move later, from home to assessment or from assessment to the body shop, Car Transport to Inspection and Workshops in Riyadh covers both legs with one agreed price.
Common mistakes after ring road accidents
Mistakes after a Riyadh accident cost many drivers their compensation, and some put them in real danger:
- A verbal agreement with no report. The other driver promises to pay for repairs, then stops answering. Without a report, you have no proof.
- Moving the cars before taking photos, losing the positions that show who was at fault.
- Standing between the cars or in the lane while arguing.
- Driving a damaged car with a leak or a burst tyre along the ring road, which makes the damage worse and gives the insurer a reason to reject the extra cost.
- Accepting the first tow truck that stops without agreeing a price or destination, then facing a higher figure or a destination you did not choose.
- Leaving personal items and documents in the car before it is towed away.
When to call a professional
You need a flatbed after a ring road accident in Riyadh when the car will not drive, is leaking fluids, has damaged tyres or wheels, has broken headlights at night, or has front damage close to the radiator.
A damaged car should never be dragged on a rope or lifted by one end, because damage to the chassis or front end can get worse. Accident Car Towing in Riyadh means loading the whole car onto a flatbed, with straps on the undamaged tyres and kept away from crushed panels and bent suspension.
If the accident happens in the south, near the exits to the industrial areas or the Kharj road, the Towing service in Southern Ring Road page explains the safe loading points there. Habib Satha Towing waits for the report or the authorities' release, then loads the car and delivers it where you or your insurer decide, with the price given before we move.
What does a tow cost after an accident?
In 2026, a tow inside Riyadh after a crash is priced by distance. Under 15 km it is 90 to 150 SAR, 15 to 30 km is 150 to 250 SAR, and further trips start at 220 SAR. Luxury cars cost a little more because they need loading ramps, and night calls are not charged extra.
Get help with towing service in Riyadh
Once everyone is safe and the accident is reported, send your location and destination on WhatsApp or call 0583399475. We load the whole car and deliver it to the workshop or assessment centre at a clear price.
