A Northumbria police spokeswoman said 36-year-old "Gazza" swerved to avoid a collision with an oncoming vehicle and crunched his car into the back of a delivery truck.
Newspapers showed pictures of Gascoigne's black BMW 4x4
"I just ran into the back of the van. I'm fine but I am a bit shaken up," he told the Sun newspaper.
The former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton player helped England reach the 1990 World Cup semi-finals in Italy and the same stage of Euro 96 in England. He won 57 caps.