After a car accident, your first jobs are to check for injuries, call emergency services if anyone is hurt, and get yourself and your car out of danger. Then exchange information with the other driver, document everything with photos, and report the crash to your insurer as soon as you can. Avoid admitting fault or agreeing to anything on the spot.
Below are the steps at the scene, then what to do in the weeks after. Rules vary by state, province and country, so check your local requirements.
At the scene: step by step
- Stop and stay calm. Never leave the scene of a crash you're involved in, even a minor one; in most places that's an offense. Turn on your hazard lights.
- Check for injuries. Check yourself, your passengers and people in other vehicles. Don't move anyone seriously hurt unless they're in immediate danger.
- Call emergency services if anyone is hurt. Dial 911 in the US and Canada, 999 or 112 in the UK, or 112 in India. Also call if a vehicle is leaking fluid, smoking or blocking traffic, or if a driver seems impaired.
- Move to safety if you can. If no one is seriously hurt and the cars can be driven, move them to the shoulder or a nearby lot. Many states require this for minor crashes. If a car can't be moved, get everyone well away from traffic and set out warning triangles if you have them.
- Exchange information. Get the details listed below from every driver involved, and keep the conversation to facts.
- Take photos. Use your phone to document the vehicles and the scene before anything is cleared away.
- Talk to witnesses. Ask anyone who saw the crash for their name and phone number. Independent witnesses carry real weight when fault is disputed.
- Report it to police where required. Give officers the facts and ask how to get the report number.
- Don't admit fault. You can be courteous without saying "it was my fault." Fault depends on facts you may not know yet, and insurers and courts decide it.
Information to exchange
- Full name, phone number and address of each driver
- Driver's license number and issuing state or province
- Insurance company and policy number (a photo of the insurance card works)
- License plate number and the vehicle's make, model, year and color
- The registered owner's name, if different from the driver
- For a commercial vehicle, the company's name and the vehicle's unit or DOT number
Photos to take
- Every vehicle from all sides, with close-ups of the damage
- License plates on every vehicle involved
- The overall scene, showing where the cars ended up
- Traffic signs, signals, lane markings and anything blocking visibility
- Road and weather conditions, skid marks and debris
- Any visible injuries, and the other driver's documents with their permission
Police reports: rules vary by location
Police attendance and reporting rules differ widely. Many US states require you to report a crash that involves injury, death or property damage above a set threshold, which is often in the range of a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. Some also require a separate report to the motor vehicle agency. California, for example, requires drivers to file an SR-1 form with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or damage exceeded $1,000. In Ontario, collisions with more than $2,000 in combined damage generally must be reported, often at a collision reporting centre rather than at the scene.
In the UK, if you don't exchange details at the scene, you must report the collision to police within 24 hours. If you hit an unattended car, leave a note with your contact details and report it. Wherever you are, a report number makes your claim simpler.
Watch out: Be wary of agreeing to "settle it privately for cash" at the scene. Damage that looks minor can cost thousands once a bumper comes off, and injuries can surface later. Skip the report and you may lose the ability to claim for what you find afterward.
Afterward: notify your insurer and see a doctor
Report the accident to your own insurer promptly, ideally the same day, even if you think the other driver was at fault. Most policies require prompt notice. Share your photos, the details you collected and the police report number, and stick to what you know rather than guessing about speeds or distances.
If the other driver's insurer contacts you, keep it brief. You're generally not required to give them a recorded statement right away, and you shouldn't sign releases or accept a settlement until you know the full extent of your damage and injuries.
See a doctor soon after the crash, even if you feel fine. Whiplash and concussion symptoms can appear hours or days later, and a prompt visit creates a medical record tied to the accident. In no-fault states and provinces, your own policy usually pays medical costs first, and some systems set short deadlines for seeking treatment.
How the claims process works
Once you file, an adjuster reviews the facts, the police report and the damage, and determines fault under local rules. You can claim with the at-fault driver's liability insurer, or under your own collision coverage and pay your deductible. When fault is disputed, your own coverage is often faster, and your insurer may later recover your deductible from the other side. Our guide to car insurance coverage explains collision, liability and uninsured motorist coverage in plain terms.
If repair costs approach the car's value, the insurer may declare it a total loss and pay its actual cash value, minus your deductible; gap coverage, if you have it, covers any loan balance above that. If a settlement seems too low, ask for the valuation in writing and provide comparable listings. The NAIC's guide to filing an auto claim covers your options, including contacting your state insurance department.
Repairs, rental cars and diminished value
Choosing a repair shop
In most US states, you can choose your own repair shop. Insurer network shops can speed things up and often guarantee their work, but you're not required to use them. Ask whether a shop will use manufacturer (OEM) or aftermarket parts, and check what your policy allows. If the shop finds hidden damage, it can file a supplement with the adjuster.
Rental car
If the other driver is at fault, their insurer generally owes you a comparable rental for a reasonable repair period. Through your own policy, it depends on whether you bought rental reimbursement, which usually has daily and total limits. Confirm them before you pick up a car.
Diminished value
A repaired car with an accident on its history report is usually worth less than one without. A diminished value claim seeks that difference, usually from the at-fault driver's insurer, and whether you can claim varies by state. Our depreciation calculator estimates pre-accident value, and our VIN decoder confirms the exact trim for comparable listings.
When to consider a lawyer
Most fender-benders are settled without legal help. Consider talking to a licensed attorney if:
- Anyone suffered a serious injury or needed hospital care
- Fault is disputed, or the police report seems wrong
- The other driver was uninsured, underinsured or left the scene
- A commercial vehicle, rideshare driver or government vehicle was involved
- An insurer denies your claim, delays without explanation or makes an offer that seems far too low
Many personal injury lawyers offer a free first consultation. Legal deadlines for claims vary by state, province and country, so don't wait too long to ask.
Printable glovebox checklist
Print this and keep it with your registration and insurance card.
- Hazard lights on; check everyone for injuries
- Call emergency services if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked
- Move to a safe spot if the cars can be driven
- Exchange names, phone numbers, license, insurance and plate details
- Photograph all vehicles, plates, damage, the scene and road conditions
- Get witness names and phone numbers
- Get the police report number and officers' names, if police attend
- Stick to facts and don't admit fault
- Notify your insurer the same day if you can
- See a doctor, even if you feel fine
- Keep every receipt, estimate, medical record and piece of correspondence
Key takeaway: Safety comes first, then documentation. Detailed photos, the other driver's details, witness contacts and a prompt report to your insurer protect you far more than anything you say at the scene.
The bottom line
The right sequence keeps you safe and protects your claim: secure the scene, get help for anyone hurt, collect information and photos, report it where required, and call your insurer quickly. Then see a doctor, choose a repair shop you trust, and get legal advice if injuries or disputes are involved. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident?
It depends on where you are. Many US states and Canadian provinces require a report when anyone is injured or when damage passes a set dollar threshold, and some require a separate report to the motor vehicle agency within days. Even when it isn't required, a police or collision report makes the insurance claim easier. Check your state or province rules.
How soon should I report an accident to my insurer?
As soon as you reasonably can, ideally within a day. Most policies require prompt notice, and reporting early helps preserve evidence and avoids disputes about late notice. You can usually start a claim by phone, online or in your insurer's app.
Should I see a doctor if I feel fine?
It's a good idea. Some injuries, such as whiplash or concussion symptoms, can take hours or days to show up. A prompt medical visit also creates a record linking any injury to the crash, and some no-fault insurance systems require treatment within a short window to qualify for benefits.
Can I choose my own repair shop?
In most US states, yes. Your insurer may suggest a shop from its network, which can speed things up and often comes with a repair guarantee, but you're generally free to pick a licensed shop you trust. Ask the shop to work directly with the adjuster on the estimate.