When Should You Call 112?

Right after a collision, one of the first questions is: do I need to call emergency services? In Türkiye, emergency health, police, gendarmerie, fire and disaster response are routed through 112. Knowing when to dial 112, and when not to dial at all, removes a big chunk of the confusion of the moment.

This guide explains exactly when to call 112, when authorities are mandatory, and where a licensed-adjuster report fits into the picture.

First, the rule that overrides everything

If there is any injury or loss of life, call 112 immediately. Injury accidents are not handled with a self-completed report, and emergency services plus the traffic authorities must attend. Do not move injured people unnecessarily, and do not try to resolve the scene yourself. Only once everyone is safe do the other questions apply.

When to call 112

Call 112 when the situation goes beyond a simple material-damage exchange. Typical cases include:

• Injury or fatal accidents
• One driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• A driver has no license, no insurance, or refuses to identify themselves
• The accident involves a public institution’s property or an unattended/parked vehicle whose owner cannot be found
• There is damage to public property (guardrails, signs, traffic lights)
• A driver flees the scene (hit and run)
• A disagreement or threat makes it unsafe to exchange details
• Vehicles involved carry diplomatic plates or similar special status

The emergency call centre routes the case to health, police, gendarmerie, fire or other relevant units according to your location and the incident details.

How 112 routes the right unit

112 routes your call based on your location and the nature of the incident. Police may be sent in urban areas, gendarmerie in rural areas, medical teams for injuries, and fire services for fire or entrapment.

In practice, you do not need to decide which authority to call separately. If the situation is urgent or requires law enforcement, call 112 and give clear location and incident details.

When you do NOT need 112

For a straightforward material-damage accident with no injuries — two cars, a dented bumper, both drivers present and cooperative — the traffic police generally do not come out to draw up a report anymore. Instead, the accident is documented either by the drivers themselves or through a licensed adjuster report process.

This is where many people stop at the bare minimum. Rather than relying on a simple form, you can have a material-damage traffic accident report drawn up by an authorised registered insurance adjuster under Law 5684, article 22/17. Under the law, this report has the effect of an accident and damage determination report for insurance indemnity payment and has evidential value.

What to tell the operator

When you dial 112, giving clear, calm information helps the right team reach you fast:

• Exact location: road name, kilometre marker, direction, a known landmark, or an exit number.
• Type of incident: material damage or injury; how many vehicles are involved.
• Injuries: how many people, and their condition (critical for 112).
• Hazards: fire, fuel leak, an overturned vehicle, an obstruction blocking traffic.
• Vehicles and plates: especially the plate of a fleeing vehicle in a hit-and-run.

Do not hang up until the operator directs you — they may give extra instructions, such as not moving the vehicles or an injured person.

Emergency number to use

• 112 — Emergency Call Centre: health, police, gendarmerie, fire and general emergencies, one number.

Any injury or situation requiring authorities makes 112 the priority. For ordinary material-damage accidents, an adjuster process can provide an evidential report.

The smarter alternative for material damage

Waiting on the roadside or producing an ambiguous form both create problems later. With Alo Tutanak — serving drivers since 2017, with calls answered in about 45 seconds — you call our 7/24 line, our experts walk you through it on the phone, and a licensed adjuster prepares the report. The app, call line and guidance are free; the adjuster fee process is handled under Law 5684 art. 22/19 and the relevant insurance contract terms. It covers all 81 provinces and runs remotely.

Read more about the adjuster-approved accident report and what to do at the accident scene.

Quick decision guide

Situation	What to do
Anyone injured	112
Alcohol, no insurance, hit-and-run, public property, disputes, special plates	112
Urban or rural situation requiring authorities	112
Simple material damage, both drivers present	No police needed; consider a licensed-adjuster report

Frequently asked questions

I am not sure if I am in an urban or rural area — what should I do? Call 112; the emergency call centre routes you to the correct unit. Do not hesitate.

Just a scratched bumper — do I still need the police? If there is no injury and no special circumstance, no. You can document it through an adjuster report process instead.

If I call the police, do I still need an adjuster report? They are different things. For ordinary material-damage accidents, the police generally do not attend to write a report; an authorised adjuster report can support your insurance claim as evidence.

I dialled 112 by mistake — what should I do? Do not hang up; explain the situation to the operator. Misusing emergency lines ties up resources, so using the right number matters.

Knowing when to call 112 — and when not to call at all — keeps you from wasting time and from ending up with a weak record. When the accident is material-damage only, an authorised adjuster report can support your file. Download the Alo Tutanak app so the right help is always within reach.