Car Accident or Breakdown
Use these phrases to stay calm, secure the scene, and coordinate help if you have a car accident or vehicle breakdown in a German-speaking country.
Key Phrases
Ist jemand verletzt, oder geht es allen gut?
neutralIs anyone injured, or is everyone okay?
Standard first question to ask anyone involved immediately after a collision.
Alles okay bei dir? Hast du dir wehgetan?
casualAre you okay? Did you hurt yourself?
Use with passengers, friends, or anyone you address with 'du'.
Zum Glück ist niemand verletzt, aber wir stehen unter Schock.
neutralFortunately no one is hurt, but we are in shock.
Essential update for emergency operators or other motorists.
Wir müssen sofort die Warnwesten anziehen und das Warndreieck aufstellen.
neutralWe need to put on high-visibility vests right away and set up the warning triangle.
A strict legal safety requirement across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Wir stehen auf der A8 Richtung München, ungefähr bei Kilometer 42.
neutralWe are stuck on the A8 towards Munich, roughly at kilometer marker 42.
Highway kilometer markers help emergency dispatchers locate you quickly.
Ich schicke Ihnen gleich mal meinen genauen Live-Standort per Handy.
politeI will send you my exact live location via mobile phone right away.
Polite and reassuring when speaking to a roadside assistance dispatcher.
Der Motor ist plötzlich ausgegangen und das Auto springt nicht mehr an.
neutralThe engine suddenly shut off and the car won't start anymore.
Everyday phrasing to explain a sudden mechanical breakdown.
Ich glaube, ich habe einen Platten und brauche Hilfe beim Reifenwechsel.
casualI think I have a flat tire and need help changing it.
'Einen Platten haben' is the everyday idiom for having a flat tire.
Könnten Sie bitte einen Abschleppwagen schicken? Der Wagen rollt nicht mehr.
politeCould you please send a tow truck? The car doesn't roll anymore.
Polite request using Konjunktiv II ('könnten Sie') when calling assistance.
Das Auto muss abgeschleppt werden, weil die Achse kaputt ist.
neutralThe car needs to be towed because the axle is broken.
Direct, factual statement describing severe damage.
Lass uns kurz die Kontaktdaten und die Versicherung austauschen.
casualLet's quickly exchange contact details and insurance info.
Natural way to suggest swapping information with another cooperative driver.
Sollten wir für die Versicherung nicht lieber den europäischen Unfallbericht ausfüllen?
politeShouldn't we rather fill out the European accident report form for the insurance?
Refers to the standard bilingual 'Unfallbericht' form kept in glove compartments.
Rufen wir die Polizei, oder regeln wir das unter uns?
neutralAre we calling the police, or shall we settle this between ourselves?
Police are usually only called for serious damage, injuries, or disputed fault.
Wie lange dauert es ungefähr, bis der Pannendienst da ist?
neutralApproximately how long will it take until roadside assistance arrives?
Good question to plan safety while waiting behind the crash barrier.