What to do after a car accident

Quick insights

• A car accident can be a difficult situation, regardless of how severe the collision is.
• There are several steps you can take after a car accident to mitigate the situation (and a few others that could potentially be helpful).
• Directly after a car accident, trying to remain calm can help with the subsequent steps.

Car accidents can happen to anyone, even careful drivers, and the situation can vary in intensity. Let’s learn about what you can do after a car accident so that you’re better prepared if it happens.

Steps to take after a car accident

The aftermath of an accident may be stressful and difficult to process. Here are several common steps to take following a car accident.

Remain calm

This can be challenging but is an important first step. Emotions can run high in the aftermath of an accident. The following steps, however—such as talking to authorities and insurance companies—would be handled better with a clear and collected head.

Check for injuries

Immediately after a car accident, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If someone needs medical help, it’s best to call 911. Some injuries, such as internal ruptures and head trauma, may not always present themselves in an obvious way. It’s important to assess if anyone could have an injury with hard-to-see signs.

Move to safety

You may need to move yourself and possibly your vehicle away from the road. Oncoming traffic can be dangerous. If you or anyone else at the scene has safety cones, flares, flags or other brightly colored items, these may be helpful to place on the roadway. These are good whether you form a perimeter around the crash site or create some type of alert to oncoming drivers.

Contact authorities

Police can be helpful regardless of how severe a car accident is. These authorities can gather whatever details you can provide about the collision and circumstances. Officers may speak to each individual separately, which sounds time-consuming, but can be helpful.

You can also request a police report if authorities visit the scene, as well. This is helpful for any insurance claims you make. If you can’t get a copy before leaving the scene, ask an officer when and how you can get one.

Exchange information with other drivers

Some useful information to gather from any other drivers involved include:

• Name and insurance information for all drivers, including policy numbers and insurers’ contact details.
• The other driver’s (or drivers’) personal contact information (if they agree to provide it).
• Contact information for any witnesses to the accident, if available.

Document the crash

Documenting the scene of the crash can be quite helpful for any insurance claims you may need to file later. Some insurance companies have mobile apps that may include a feature to help you through this process. If not, here are some of the useful things you may want to gather:

• Photos of all damage, including damage to any other vehicles involved.
• Photos of license plates for all cars involved.
• Date and time of the crash.
• Any observational notes on road conditions, speed and the direction each car was traveling in.

Possible other steps

After a car accident, you may need to take additional steps, such as calling a tow truck, working with your insurance company or consulting a lawyer.

Call a tow truck

Depending on the severity of the crash, you may have a severely damaged or totaled car that’s in no shape to drive away from the scene. If that’s the case, you’ll likely need to contact a tow service that can transport your car elsewhere.

Open an insurance claim

An insurance claim process generally depends on who is at fault in the accident and types of coverage each driver has. To file a claim with your insurance company, you may be able begin the process online, on the provider’s app or speak with someone on the phone. You’ll typically be asked a few questions about the accident and the damage you’re claiming.

If you gathered any pictures or documentation from the accident, you can provide it to your insurer. At some point, you may also need to meet with an insurance adjuster, who will evaluate the claim and assess the damages.

Whether it’s you or the other driver who caused the accident, the person found to be at fault may ultimately be responsible for their own losses and the losses of the other driver. Their insurance company will pay for those losses, up to the dollar limits of coverage. If you’re at fault, your insurance will provide a level of coverage for expenses. Your insurance may also cover damage to your own car if you have comprehensive or collision insurance.

Seek legal assistance

Depending on the seriousness of the event, taking time to discuss a car accident with an attorney might be worthwhile. Attorneys can suggest additional steps to take after a car accident based on the details of the situation.

In summary

The best time to know what to do after a car accident is before it happens. Otherwise, the potential chaos of the moment may not allow you a chance to process things clearly. Keeping a cool head can be a big help when navigating the aftermath of a car accident, especially when it comes to dealing with other drivers involved, the authorities and insurance companies.