What to Do Right After a Car Accident

Key takeaways

• Safety comes first: check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and get out of traffic if you safely can.
• Exchange information with every driver and document the scene with photos and notes.
• Report the crash to police and your state as required; rules and deadlines vary by state.
• Notify your insurer promptly, and stick to facts rather than discussing fault at the scene.

In the first few minutes

1. Stop. State laws require drivers involved in a crash to stop, and leaving the scene, especially when someone is hurt, is a serious offense. Pull over as soon as it is safe.
2. Check for injuries. Check yourself, then your passengers, then anyone else involved. If anyone is hurt, or you are not sure, call 911.
3. Make the scene safer. If the cars can be driven and no one is injured, move them out of traffic lanes to the shoulder or a nearby lot if you can do so safely; many states require this after minor crashes. Turn on your hazard lights, and set out warning triangles or flares if you have them.
4. Stay clear of traffic. On a busy road it is usually safer to wait well away from moving vehicles, behind a barrier if there is one, than to stand beside your car.

When to call the police

Call 911 for any crash involving injuries. It is also wise to call the police when there is significant damage, a driver seems impaired, a driver has no insurance or won't share information, or someone leaves the scene. A police report creates an independent record that can help with insurance claims later.

In some places, officers may not come out for a minor crash with no injuries. If that happens, ask how to file a report yourself; many departments accept reports after the fact.

Exchange information

Get the following from every driver involved, and share the same details about yourself:

• Full name and contact information
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver's license number and issuing state
• License plate number
• Vehicle make, model and color
• The vehicle owner's name, if the owner isn't the driver

If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. If police respond, note the officers' names and badge numbers, and ask for the report number and how to get a copy.

Document the scene

Your phone's camera is one of the most useful tools you have. If it is safe to do so, photograph:

• Every vehicle involved, from several angles, with close-ups of the damage
• License plates and the other driver's insurance card
• The wider scene: lanes, traffic signals, signs, skid marks and debris
• Road and weather conditions, and any visible injuries

Then write down, or record a voice memo of, what happened while it is fresh: the time, the exact location, your direction of travel and the sequence of events.

Get checked out

Some injuries, such as concussions and neck or back injuries, may not cause symptoms for hours or even days. If you feel any pain or discomfort, see a medical professional promptly and mention that you were in a car crash. Keep copies of records, bills and receipts, since they matter for any injury claim.

Notify your insurance company

Most policies require you to report an accident promptly, even if you don't plan to file a claim or believe the other driver was at fault. Many insurers take reports by phone, online or through an app. Have your policy number, the other driver's information, the police report number and your photos ready.

You will typically receive a claim number and be assigned an adjuster. Write down the name of everyone you speak with and the date of each conversation.

The other driver's insurance company may contact you. If it asks for a recorded statement, it is reasonable to speak with your own insurer before you give one.

Check your state's reporting rules

Separate from any police report, many states require drivers to report a crash to a state agency, often the motor vehicle department, when it involves injury, death or property damage above a set dollar amount. Deadlines can be short, sometimes only a matter of days, so check your state's rules soon after the crash.

In the days that follow

• Keep one folder, paper or digital, for the claim number, police report, photos, estimates, towing and rental receipts, medical bills and all correspondence.
• Ask about repairs. Your insurer may suggest repair shops. Many states give you the right to choose your own; ask how that works under your policy.
• Check your rental coverage before renting a car, including daily and total limits.
• Be wary of unsolicited offers. Tow trucks that arrive without being called, or callers pressing you to act fast, deserve extra caution. Confirm who they are before agreeing to anything.
• Consider professional advice if there are serious injuries, disputed fault or a denied claim. A licensed attorney in your state can explain your options.

A glovebox kit worth assembling today

• Current proof of insurance and vehicle registration
• A pen and a small notepad
• A flashlight, plus warning triangles or flares
• A basic first-aid kit
• An emergency contact card, with any medical information responders should know

Helpful official resources

Independent public resources for going further. AutoQB is not affiliated with any of these organizations.

• USA.govThe official web portal of the U.S. government.
• Federal Trade Commission: Consumer AdviceConsumer education from the FTC, the nation's consumer protection agency.
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)The organization of the chief insurance regulators of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.

This guide is general educational information about how car insurance commonly works in the United States. Coverage terms, rules and requirements vary by state and by insurer, so your policy documents, your insurer or agent, and your state insurance department are the authorities for your situation.