- Learn what to do after a car accident, from checking for injuries and calling 911 to gathering details at the scene.
- See how to document the crash, report it to your insurer and prepare for the repair process.
- Understand the next steps if you caused the accident, if another driver hit your car or if someone hit your parked car.
- Use a practical checklist, quick tips and FAQs to stay organized after an accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Car accidents can shake up even the most seasoned drivers. Knowing what to do when in a car accident can help you stay calmer, protect your safety and take the right next steps.
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Key Takeaways
Quick checklist:
Check for injuries
Move to safety if you can
Call 911
Exchange information
Document the scene and report the accident to your insurance company
1. Safety first: How to report a car accident
First and foremost, check for injuries. Then, if you’re able to do so, check on your passengers and others involved in the accident. Call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance if anyone needs medical attention. If your injuries are serious, try not to move while you wait for emergency services. If you’re unable to call 911, ask a passenger or bystander for help.
It’s also a good idea to contact the local authorities. Once they report to the scene, they can control traffic and safety and document the accident.
If you can, move your car to a safe location, turn it off and leave your hazard lights on. If you can’t move your car, set up road flares or reflective triangles if you have them, then move yourself to a safer area. Do not leave the scene of the car accident.
2. Engaging with other parties
While you’re waiting for the police, you might engage with the other party involved in the accident. Check to see if anyone is injured and try to keep your conversations focused on exchanging information. Avoid discussing who’s at fault.
Also, look around to see whether any witnesses are still at the scene. Ask whether they’d be willing to give a statement to the police or share their contact information.
Once the police arrive, they’ll likely ask for your name, address, phone number and insurance information. Your statement should stick to the facts of the accident as you know them. Avoid assigning blame. Be sure to share the information for all other parties involved.
You’ll want to ask the officer for the following information:
- Officer’s name and badge number.
- Police report number and a copy of the police report. You may need to contact the police station and request a copy of the report.
If the police aren’t dispatched to the scene, you may still be able to file a report at the station. Good documentation and clear notes can help the police write a more complete report.
If police are not on the scene, make sure to get the following information from all drivers and passengers involved:
- Names, addresses and phone numbers.
- Insurance companies and policy numbers.
- If willing – grab their dates of birth and license numbers as well.
- Contact info for any witnesses to the accident.
Stay calm and stick to the facts when speaking with police, witnesses and your insurer. Exchange information, cooperate with law enforcement and report the accident to your insurance company as soon as it’s safe.
What to do if someone hits your parked car
Take photos of the damage, the surrounding area, and any notes or contact information left behind. Look for witnesses or nearby cameras, and report the damage to the police and to your insurer.
3. Document the incident
Once it’s safe, start documenting the accident. Try to gather the following:
- Photographs of your location and the accident scene from as many angles as you’re able.
- Photographs of the make and model of all cars involved in the accident.
- Photo evidence of the damage to your car and other cars or property involved in the accident. Try to include the license plates of other cars.
- Take notes either in writing or in a notes app on your phone. This can help if you need to describe the accident to emergency services, insurance companies or health care professionals, or if you're asked to draw a diagram. Taking notes can help you keep the timeline and facts straight.
| What to document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photos of damage and the scene | Can help show what happened and support your claim |
| Driver and witness information | Helps police and insurers follow up |
| Police report number | Makes it easier to reference the incident later |
| Your own notes | Helps you remember key details after a stressful event |
4. Contact insurance
Regardless of the circumstances, you should still report the accident to your insurance company. Remember, reporting the accident and filing a claim are two different things. If you open a car insurance claim, you’ll usually be assigned a claims professional who can discuss your accident, your coverage, roadside assistance and the repair process.
If you don’t feel you’re at fault and want to file a claim through the other driver’s insurance company, you should still report the accident to your insurer. Your carrier may be able to help if you run into issues with the other company.
Even if the damage is minor and there doesn’t appear to be injuries, you should still contact the police and notify your insurance carrier so the accident can be properly documented.
For a step-by-step guide to filing a claim, read “How to File an Auto Insurance Claim”.
5. Vehicle repair process
The repair process typically starts with an inspection. Insurance carriers usually handle it in two ways:
- If the damage is minor, you may be able to have your vehicle appraised at your preferred auto body shop and send a repair estimate to your insurance company. Alternatively, your insurance company may opt for a desk appraisal, where an estimate is created from photos.
- If the damage is severe, your carrier will likely send out an appraiser to inspect your car and provide an appraisal to you or your preferred auto body shop.
If you don’t have a preferred auto body shop, your carrier may provide you with a list of shops they work with in your area. Regardless, you always have the final decision on where you’d like to have your vehicle repaired.
A few other things to consider:
- Supplement requests: It’s difficult to know the full extent of the damage to your car before repairs start, so it’s common for the auto body shop to find additional damage once repairs begin. When this happens, they’ll contact the appraiser to reinspect your car and write a supplemental appraisal.
- Car rentals: Your policy may cover the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. Your claims representative will be able to discuss your options in detail.
For more on temporary transportation, see “Do I Need Rental Car Insurance?”
Conclusion
No one expects to get into a car accident. Being prepared can help reduce stress and make it easier to handle what comes next. Here are a few helpful reminders:
- Keep a car emergency kit in your vehicle.
- Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle can help your vehicle run smoothly and may reduce the risk of accidents.
- Review your policy to help you understand your coverages.
Car accidents can cause a lot of stress and uncertainty. Understanding what to do when you’re in a car accident can help you protect yourself, report the crash and move through the claims process with more confidence.
Need to file a claim? Just call Amica at 800-242-6422, report your claim online or visit our Claim Center.
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FAQs associated with auto accidents
If you're in an accident and the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance, you should still report the accident to the police and your insurance company. Your own auto policy may include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which is designed for situations where the other driver has either no liability insurance or not enough to cover your damages or injuries. Not all states require these coverages, so it's important to understand what your policy includes.
You may not notice you’re injured right away. If you are injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident, seek medical care. Documentation of any health problems related to the accident is important for injury claims.
If you’ve given someone permission to drive your car, such as a regular user or household member, then you may be covered if they’re in an accident. Certain policy exclusions may apply, though, so ask your claims professional if there are any state-specific conditions.
There are several factors beyond fault that affect premium increases. Your claim history, the severity of your claims and your location can all play a role. It’s best to discuss this with your claims or customer service representative.
You can call Amica at 800-242-6422, report your claim online or visit our Claim Center. You generally need to share when and where the crash happened, who was involved, what damage occurred and whether a police report was filed. Photos, videos and witness information can also help support your report.
If someone hit your car, check for injuries first, move to safety, if possible, call the police when needed, exchange information, document the scene and contact your insurance company. If someone hit your parked car, take photos, look for witnesses and report the damage as soon as you can.
It can help to keep proof of insurance, your registration, emergency contact information, a flashlight, a phone charger and a basic emergency kit in your vehicle.
Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.
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