44 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Ho avuto un incidente stradale.
I've had a road accident.
The first thing to say when calling 112/118 or flagging down a bystander after a collision.
Ci sono dei feriti.
There are injured people.
Say this immediately after reporting the accident to 112/118. It escalates the priority of the response and triggers both police and ambulance dispatch.
Chiamate il centodiciotto!
Call 118! (ambulance)
Shout this to bystanders when someone is injured and you cannot call yourself. 118 is the ambulance/medical emergency number in Italy.
Siamo sulla Statale Sette, al chilometro quarantadue.
We are on State Road 7, at kilometre 42.
Use on rural or highway roads where there is no street address. Italian roads have kilometre markers (paletti chilometrici) — give the nearest one to help rescue services locate you.
Non muovere il ferito!
Don't move the injured person!
Say this urgently to bystanders who may instinctively try to move an accident victim. Moving someone with a spinal injury can cause permanent paralysis.
Può mostrarmi la patente e il documento di assicurazione?
Can you show me your licence and insurance document?
Use when exchanging details with the other driver after an accident without injuries. This exchange is legally required under the Codice della Strada.
La colpa è sua. Ha ignorato il segnale di stop.
It's your fault. You ignored the stop sign.
Use carefully — only when you are certain of the facts and need to establish fault clearly. Italian insurance claims depend heavily on the documented version of events.
Lei è stato/a testimone dell'incidente?
Were you a witness to the accident?
Ask bystanders who stopped at the scene. Witness testimony is invaluable for insurance disputes and police reports, especially when the drivers disagree on fault.
Ho mal di collo. Penso di avere il colpo di frusta.
I have neck pain. I think I have whiplash.
Use with paramedics or at the hospital emergency room after a rear-end collision. Whiplash symptoms may be delayed — report pain even if mild immediately after the accident.
Chiamate i vigili del fuoco! C'è rischio di incendio!
Call the fire brigade! There's a risk of fire!
Use when you smell fuel, see smoke, or see sparks after a collision. Fire risk changes all first-aid priorities — evacuation takes precedence over spinal precautions.
Ho messo il triangolo di emergenza.
I've put out the emergency triangle.
Say this to confirm to arriving police that you have already placed the warning triangle. It also prompts you to do it if you haven't — the triangle is legally required.
Ho bisogno di un carroattrezzi.
I need a tow truck.
Use after an accident when your vehicle cannot be driven. Call your insurance's roadside assistance (soccorso stradale) or a local towing company.
Dobbiamo aspettare la polizia per fare il verbale.
We need to wait for the police to make the official report.
Use when the other driver wants to leave without calling police. A police verbale is essential for contested accidents, serious injuries, or criminal proceedings.
La mia macchina non parte. Il motore non si avvia.
My car won't start. The engine won't turn on.
Use with roadside assistance or when explaining the situation to police. Distinguishes a non-starting car from one that is driveable but damaged.
Stavo rispettando il limite di velocità.
I was respecting the speed limit.
Use when making your statement to police to establish that you were not exceeding the speed limit. This is a key factor in determining fault.
L'altro guidatore è fuggito senza fermarsi.
The other driver fled without stopping.
Use to report a hit-and-run accident to police. Provide as many details as possible about the fleeing vehicle — plate, colour, make, direction.
Ho scattato delle fotografie della scena.
I took photographs of the scene.
Tell police and your insurance company that you have photographic evidence. Photos of vehicle positions, damage, and road markings are invaluable for accident reconstruction.
La mia auto ha una scatola nera che registra la velocità.
My car has a black box that records speed.
Mention this when making your statement if your vehicle has a telematics device. It provides objective data (speed, braking, GPS position) that can prove or disprove fault.
L'incidente è avvenuto all'incrocio con il semaforo.
The accident happened at the junction with traffic lights.
Use in your police statement to specify where the accident occurred. The exact location determines which road rules applied and which authority is responsible for the road.
La strada era bagnata e scivolosa.
The road was wet and slippery.
Use in police statements and insurance reports to document road conditions as a contributing factor. This can reduce your liability percentage in cases of shared fault.
Stava cambiando corsia senza mettere la freccia.
He/she was changing lanes without indicating.
Use in your police statement when the other driver's failure to signal contributed to the accident. Failure to indicate is a codice della strada violation that affects fault assessment.
Devo contattare la mia ambasciata per il veicolo a noleggio.
I need to contact my embassy about the rental vehicle.
Use when you are a foreign tourist who has had an accident in a rental car. Rental companies have specific procedures and your embassy may have a recommended assistance service.
Sono pronto/a a fare il test dell'etilometro.
I am ready to take the breathalyser test.
Use proactively when you know you have not consumed alcohol. This demonstrates confidence and cooperation — refusing the test is itself an offence.
Ho mal di testa e mi sento stordito/a.
I have a headache and I feel dizzy.
Tell paramedics or emergency room staff immediately after an accident. Headache and dizziness can indicate concussion (commozione cerebrale) — a medical emergency.
Compiliamo insieme la Constatazione Amichevole.
Let's fill in the European Accident Statement together.
Use immediately after a minor accident without injuries when both drivers agree on what happened and want to resolve through insurance without police.
Non faccio dichiarazioni prima di parlare con il mio avvocato.
I won't make any statements before speaking with my lawyer.
Use if you are suspected of being at fault in a serious accident involving injuries or death. Your right to remain silent applies in criminal investigations.
Il mio numero di polizza assicurativa è...
My insurance policy number is...
Give this to the other driver and to police when exchanging accident details. Without the policy number, the other party cannot file a claim against your insurance.
Il conducente si è sentito male prima dell'impatto.
The driver felt unwell before the impact.
Use when reporting to police that a medical episode (heart attack, blackout, seizure) may have caused the accident. This affects the legal classification of the incident.
Chiedo il risarcimento dei danni.
I am claiming compensation for damages.
Use when formally notifying the other party's insurance or your own that you are seeking compensation. This is the first step in a civil claim for an accident.
Devo andare al pronto soccorso.
I need to go to the emergency room.
Use after an accident when you are experiencing any symptoms, however mild. A medical evaluation creates a medico-legal record essential for injury compensation claims.
Non stavo usando il telefono mentre guidavo.
I was not using my phone while driving.
Use proactively in your police statement to preempt suspicion of phone distraction, which is one of the most investigated causes of road accidents.
Dove posso ottenere una perizia del danno?
Where can I get a damage assessment?
Use when you need to get your vehicle officially assessed for damage after an accident. This assessment is required for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Cosa succede adesso con la mia assicurazione?
What happens now with my insurance?
Use at the end of your police or insurance interaction to understand the next steps. Knowing the process reduces anxiety and ensures you don't miss important deadlines.
Non ho bevuto alcolici. Posso sottopormi al test.
I have not drunk any alcohol. I can take the test.
Use proactively when police are present at an accident scene to demonstrate willingness to cooperate with alcohol testing. This also signals confidence that you are sober.
Lei non aveva la precedenza. Venivo da destra.
You did not have the right of way. I was coming from the right.
Use in your statement when an accident occurred at an unmarked junction and the right-hand rule (precedenza a destra) gives you priority.
C'era un animale sulla carreggiata.
There was an animal on the road.
Use to report that an animal caused or contributed to the accident. This affects both fault determination and who is liable (the animal's owner, if identifiable).
Ho dolori alla schiena e alla colonna vertebrale.
I have pain in my back and spine.
Tell paramedics or A&E staff after any accident, especially rear-end collisions. Spinal pain can indicate serious injury and must be medically documented immediately.
Ho un bambino in macchina. Si prega di intervenire subito.
I have a child in the car. Please intervene immediately.
Use when calling emergency services and a child is in the vehicle. This information upgrades response priority and triggers child-specific medical protocols.
Non si muova! Ho chiamato la polizia!
Don't move! I've called the police!
Use when the other driver or a suspect attempts to flee the accident scene before police arrive. Witnesses can hear you and police on the phone can note the situation.
Per favore, spegni il motore del tuo veicolo.
Please, turn off your vehicle's engine.
Use immediately after a collision when vehicles are still running. Running engines are a fire risk when fuel leaks are present and reduce air quality at the scene.
L'incidente è avvenuto a un passaggio a livello.
The accident happened at a level crossing.
Use when reporting an accident involving a level crossing. These incidents involve railway authorities in addition to standard police and ambulance services.
Devo avvisare immediatamente la compagnia di noleggio.
I need to immediately notify the rental company.
Use when you have had an accident in a rental car. Rental contracts typically require immediate notification — delays can void your insurance coverage.
Prima di tutto, fotografate i danni a entrambi i veicoli.
First of all, photograph the damage to both vehicles.
Use to advise the other driver or bystanders to document the scene before vehicles are moved. Premature movement destroys crucial evidence.
Ha violato il Codice della Strada.
You have violated the Highway Code.
Use in your statement to police when the other driver has committed a specific traffic violation that caused the accident. Be prepared to specify which rule was violated.