Car accidents are stressful, even the minor ones. How you handle yourself at the scene of a car wreck is highly relevant to your ongoing stress level. If you take the right steps after a car accident, you’ll contribute to a quick resolution. Do the wrong things, and you may create more problems later.
Let’s review what to do after a car accident to protect yourself, your driving record, and your finances.
Learn more: How much does car insurance increase after an accident?
Your steps following a car wreck will depend on the accident’s severity. If you are injured, stay put and wait for help. If you can move without pain, follow the steps outlined below.
1. Stay calm and check for injuries
First, take some deep breaths. It’s important to remain calm so you can respond to the situation appropriately.
Next, do a quick self-check for apparent injuries. Then, look over your passengers and ask how they’re feeling. If you have pets in the car, check on their condition too.
Call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
Next, move your vehicle out of the road if you can do so safely. If the vehicle is not drivable or traffic prevents you from moving it, turn on the hazard lights to warn other motorists.
Leaving prematurely can invite a hit-and-run charge.
3. Check in with the other driver and witnesses
Once you and your passengers are safe, check in with any other drivers or bystanders involved in the accident. Call 911 if anyone is injured or disoriented.
You can exchange contact information with any witnesses at this time. A witness report can help you later if the accident was not your fault.
Your insurance company or your state may require you to make a police report, even if the incident is minor. The police report is especially important if you have been involved in a hit-and-run crash or something else serious. If you haven’t already called 911 to request medical assistance, call now for a police dispatch.
Officers will ask questions to understand the chain of events leading to the accident. Answer their questions honestly and thoughtfully.
Also, make a note of the names and badge numbers of the officers on the scene. This information may help you request a police report later.
According to Nolo.com, you can still officially report the accident later by going to the police station within a certain timeframe.
5. Exchange contact and insurance company information
Exchange contact and insurance company information with the other driver, no matter who caused the accident. If the other driver is willing, you can make this information exchange while waiting for the police to arrive.
The specific data points you need from the other driver are:
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Name and telephone number
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Insurance company and policy number
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Driver’s license number
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Vehicle license plate number
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Vehicle description
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Also, make a note of the exact location of the accident
If the other driver leaves the scene or refuses to share information, gather as much data as you can from witnesses. Ask for footage from any nearby cameras or dashcams if If the accident occurred in a parking lot or on the street.
Learn more: Someone hit my parked car. What should I do?
Although the police report should capture the details of the accident, you should gather your own evidence. If you have a smartphone on you, it takes only minutes to snap photos of the scene and the other driver’s information, including their driver’s license, insurance card, vehicle, and license plate.
You may capture something that makes a material difference to your insurance company or the police. Here are some pointers:
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Take multiple pictures of the scene, from several angles.
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Capture all four corners of all the cars involved and any leaking fluids.
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Use other objects in the photos for a sense of scale. This is helpful when documenting small dents or scrape marks on panels or fenders.
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Take pictures of the surrounding area if you can do so safely.
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Capture street signs, traffic signals, and any visible evidence like skid marks.
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Snap pictures of any interior damage to your vehicle. This includes shattered glass, deployed airbags, or any damage to personal effects in your car.
Photograph visible injuries, including minor cuts or bruises. Later, document less obvious injuries from the accident by getting a medical exam. Documenting every detail now can minimize uncertainties during the claims process later.
You may need to notify your insurance company from the scene, especially if your vehicle must be towed somewhere for repairs. If the vehicle is drivable, it’s usually acceptable to contact your insurer once you get home. Your insurer should provide a claim number and contact information for your claims representative.
You may also want to contact the other driver’s insurance company. If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, your insurer can help determine how your current coverage and policy limits apply. Typically this would fall under uninsured motorist coverage, which is valuable coverage to have and required by some states.
Learn more: What happens if you don’t have car insurance?
At this point, you should have a lot of information about this accident, including contact information, scene photos, and insurance claim numbers. Organize the data in one folder, either digitally or in print. If you keep everything in digital files, name each document or photo descriptively so you can locate information quickly later.
More information may become available as time passes. You may have medical reports or bills and repair bills, for example. Remember to store those in your file, again using descriptive naming conventions.
The time it takes to receive access to the accident’s police report will vary. For example, the initial report could be ready for review in 10 days, but it may not be ready for several weeks.
The department’s website should outline the process for requesting a report. Some accept email requests, but you may have to go into the station. Share the police report with your insurer and keep a copy for yourself.
You will initiate the claims process when you first contact the insurance company. Claims can take weeks or months to resolve. Set a reminder for yourself to follow up periodically if no one contacts you.
Learn more: How to file a car insurance claim
You don’t want repair or medical bills to accumulate, so stay in close contact with your insurer until a claims decision has been made. Also, monitor your auto insurance rates for several months and follow up on any unexpected increases. Auto accidents, even minor ones, typically stay on your insurance record for three to five years.
Note: In no-fault states, all drivers are required to carry no-fault coverage, including personal injury protection to pay medical bills and loss of income related to auto accidents. In at-fault states, the at-fault driver and their insurance provider are required to pick up the tab for an accident.
The steps you should take in a hit-and-run accident are similar to those you’d take in any accident. Get yourself and your car to safety, talk to witnesses, and call the police. Do not chase the other driver.
Learn more: Here’s what to do if you’re involved in a hit-and-run crash
Not all accidents result in car insurance rate increases. This is especially true if you were not at fault in the accident or if your insurance offers accident forgiveness.
If the police issued you a citation because of the accident, you are more likely to see higher insurance rates going forward.
Learn more: Is accident forgiveness worth it?
At a minimum, your insurer will need to know the date, time, and location of the accident, plus details on what happened and the resulting damages. If you were not at fault, it’s best to provide more information, including a police report, the other driver’s information, and photos of the scene.
Notify your insurer as soon as possible, even from the scene if possible. Immediate notification may be necessary if your vehicle needs to be towed and you need a rental car.
