What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide

Immediately After the Accident

The moments after a car accident are stressful and confusing. Having a plan helps you take the right steps when your mind is racing.

Step 1: Check for Injuries

Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move anyone with potential spinal injuries unless there is an immediate danger like fire.

Step 2: Move to Safety If Possible

If the vehicles are drivable and the accident is minor, move them to the shoulder or a parking lot to avoid blocking traffic and risking additional collisions. Turn on your hazard lights.

If the vehicles cannot be moved, turn on hazard lights and set up warning triangles or flares if you have them. Stay inside the vehicle if you are on a highway and it is not safe to exit.

Step 3: Call 911

Call 911 even for minor accidents. A police report creates an official record of the accident that is important for insurance claims. In many states, you are legally required to report accidents that involve injuries, deaths, or property damage above a certain threshold.

Documenting the Accident

Step 4: Exchange Information

Exchange the following information with all other drivers involved:

• Full name and contact information
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver's license number
• License plate number
• Vehicle make, model, and color

Also collect contact information from any witnesses.

Step 5: Document the Scene

Use your phone to take photos and video of:

• All vehicles involved, showing the damage from multiple angles
• The overall accident scene including road conditions, traffic signs, and signals
• Skid marks, debris, or other evidence
• License plates of all vehicles involved
• The other driver's insurance card and license

Step 6: Note the Details

Write down or record voice notes about:

• The date, time, and exact location
• Weather and road conditions
• How the accident happened from your perspective
• The direction each vehicle was traveling

After Leaving the Scene

Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, ideally the same day. Most policies require prompt notification of accidents. Provide the facts without speculating about fault.

Step 8: Get a Medical Evaluation

See a doctor even if you feel fine. Some injuries, particularly whiplash and internal injuries, may not show symptoms immediately. A medical evaluation creates documentation that links any injuries to the accident.

Step 9: Check Your Vehicle for Recalls

This step is often overlooked. If a vehicle defect contributed to the accident or worsened the outcome, you may have a claim against the manufacturer in addition to your insurance claim.

Use our free VIN decoder to check if your vehicle has any open recalls. Enter your VIN on our homepage to see all NHTSA recalls, consumer complaints, and defect investigations. If you find that a recalled component was involved in your accident, inform your attorney and insurance company.

Step 10: Keep All Records

Maintain a file with:

• The police report number and a copy of the report
• All medical records and bills related to the accident
• Photos and notes from the scene
• Correspondence with insurance companies
• Repair estimates and receipts

What Not to Do

• Do not admit fault at the scene — even saying "I'm sorry" can be used against you
• Do not leave the scene — leaving an accident scene is a crime in all states
• Do not refuse medical attention — if paramedics recommend evaluation, accept it
• Do not post about the accident on social media — insurance companies and attorneys monitor social media
• Do not accept a quick settlement without understanding the full extent of your injuries and damages

Check Your Vehicle's Safety History

Before or after an accident, use our free VIN decoder to understand your vehicle's safety profile. Enter any VIN to see crash test ratings, recall history, and consumer complaints.