Be Prepared, Not Panicked – Neil Hamilton-Meikle's Crash Card Advice

When you're in an accident, what you do next matters. At July's Hot Stories networking event in Cambridge, Neil Hamilton-Meikle, from Cooper Barnes Automotive, shared one of the most practical, impactful tips any driver can hear: keep a Crash Card in your glovebox.

Neil, known for his straight-talking, helpful approach, kicked off his talk by explaining the core truth: accidents are unexpected, but your response doesn’t have to be.

Why Every Driver Needs a Crash Card

"The definition of an accident is an unexpected or unplanned event," Neil reminded the room. "You can't prepare for it, but you can prepare for what comes immediately afterwards."

That’s exactly why Neil created his Crash Card. A simple, clear guide that sits in your glove compartment and tells you what to do if the worst happens.

It includes:

A step-by-step list of what to do at the scene
Key questions to ask and evidence to gather
Why not to admit liability (even if you're tempted to say "sorry")
A checklist of details to collect: name, address, phone number, insurer, policy number
Tips like: Call the number the other party gives you right away, to confirm it’s correct

Real Talk, Real Help

Neil’s presentation wasn’t just theoretical. It was based on decades of experience in accident repair, dealing with stressed-out drivers every day.

"Shopping is easy," he joked. "You forget bin bags and it’s a mild inconvenience. But an accident? It’s emotional, it’s stressful, sometimes even volatile. Common sense goes out the window."

That’s why you don’t want to rely on memory in the heat of the moment. The Crash Card is your calm, clear voice of reason.

Even if Cooper Barnes doesn’t handle your repair, Neil encourages you to call the number on the card. His goal? To help people understand their rights, options, and how to avoid being taken advantage of by insurers.

A Note on Dashcams

Neil also gave a quick PSA on dashcams: "They can condemn or clear you," he said. "So be aware that the footage can work for or against you."

What You Didn’t Know About Non-Fault Claims

One of Neil’s most surprising takeaways? In a non-fault accident, you don’t have to go through your own insurer.

"You claim through their policy," Neil said. "Your insurer doesn’t even need to know. We can help you process that and get you back on the road — properly."

Grab a Crash Card Today

Neil ended his talk with a simple request: take a Crash Card. Take a few. Give them to friends and family. Because the moment you need it, you won’t have time to Google. You’ll need to act.

Recorded at Hot Stories Networking Event, Cambridge

📍 The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge
🗓️ Held every second Wednesday of the month
🎥 Photos & Video by: Chris Hornby – www.chrishornby.com
🔵 Main Sponsor: Blue Line Operations Ltd – bluelineoperations.co.uk
💼 Organised by: Gemini Web Media – geminiweb.media/hot-stories-networking-in-cambridge