Last reviewed: October 2026 by the InjuryLawResource Editorial Team. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
After a car accident: stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, move to safety if you can, call the police, exchange details with the other driver, photograph everything, see a doctor, and notify your insurer. Do not admit fault at the scene, and do not sign anything or give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer until you understand your position.
The steps below are in the order you are likely to need them, from the first minutes to the following weeks.
At the scene
1. Stop and stay
Every state requires drivers involved in a crash to stop. Leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury or damage is a crime, even if the crash was not your fault.
2. Check for injuries and call 911
Check yourself, your passengers and the people in the other vehicle. If anyone is hurt, or you are not sure, call 911. Do not move someone who may have a neck or back injury unless they are in immediate danger.
3. Make the scene safe
Turn on your hazard lights. If the vehicles can be driven and it is safe, move them out of traffic; many states require this after a minor crash. If you can, take a few quick photos of the vehicles’ positions first. If a vehicle cannot be moved, get everyone well away from the road.
4. Call the police
Most states require a report when there is an injury, a death, or property damage above a set dollar amount. Even where it is optional, a police report is valuable evidence of what happened and who was involved. Ask the officer for the report number and how to get a copy. If police do not attend, you may need to file a report yourself with the police or the state motor vehicle agency.
5. Exchange information
Get the following from every driver involved. Photographing their license and insurance card is the quickest way.
- Full name, phone number and address
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance company and policy number
- License plate, make, model and color of the vehicle
- The vehicle owner’s name, if the driver is not the owner
- For a commercial vehicle, the employer’s name
6. Document the scene
- Damage to every vehicle, from several angles
- The wider scene: road layout, lane markings, traffic signs and signals
- Skid marks, debris, and road or weather conditions
- Any visible injuries
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses, who often leave before police arrive
- Nearby businesses or homes with cameras that may have recorded the crash
7. Watch what you say
Be polite and cooperative, and give the police an accurate account. But do not apologize, guess at speeds or distances, or say the crash was your fault. You may not know all the facts yet, and statements made at the scene can be used later to reduce your claim. Equally, do not say you are uninjured; “I’m not sure yet” is both honest and safer.
In the first 24 to 72 hours
8. Get medical attention
See a doctor even if you feel fine. Whiplash, concussion and some internal injuries can take hours or days to show symptoms. Getting checked protects your health first, and it also creates a record linking any injury to the crash. Insurers often treat a long delay before the first medical visit as a sign the injury came from something else.
9. Notify your own insurer
Report the accident to your insurance company promptly, whoever was at fault. Most policies require timely notice, and you may need your own coverage for medical payments, repairs or an uninsured driver. Stick to the facts.
10. Be careful with the other driver’s insurer
The other driver’s insurance adjuster may call quickly. You can confirm basic facts, but you are generally not required to give that company a recorded statement, sign a medical records release, or accept an early offer. An adjuster’s job is to settle the claim for as little as is reasonable. If you were injured, consider speaking to a lawyer first.
In the following days and weeks
- Follow your treatment plan and keep every appointment.
- Keep a file: the police report, medical records and bills, repair estimates, rental car and towing receipts, and proof of missed work.
- Write down how you feel every few days. A short diary of pain and of what you could not do is useful evidence later.
- Stay off social media about the accident and your injuries. Insurers do look.
- Do not rush repairs or a settlement. Get your own repair estimate, and do not settle an injury claim until you know how you have recovered. A signed release is final.
Special situations
Hit and run
Do not chase the other vehicle. Note whatever you can, such as the plate, make, color and direction of travel, call the police straight away, and look for witnesses and cameras. Your own uninsured motorist or collision coverage may pay, and many policies require a hit and run to be reported to police quickly.
The other driver has no insurance
Still collect their details and call the police. Your uninsured motorist coverage, if you have it, is usually the practical source of payment.
No-fault states
In about a dozen states, your own personal injury protection coverage pays your medical bills and part of your lost income first, whoever caused the crash, and there are limits on when you can claim against the other driver. These benefits have their own short notice deadlines. Our state guides list the no-fault states.
When to talk to a lawyer
You may not need one for a crash with vehicle damage only. Get advice if anyone was injured, fault is disputed, a commercial or government vehicle was involved, or the insurer denies or undervalues the claim. Most injury lawyers offer a free first consultation. See do I need a lawyer after a minor car accident? and how to find a personal injury lawyer.
Know your deadline
Each state limits how long you have to file an injury lawsuit, from one year to six. Claims involving a government vehicle or a dangerous public road can require written notice within months. Check your state in our statute of limitations table.
Frequently asked questions
Should I move my car after an accident?
If it can be driven and no one is seriously hurt, moving it out of traffic is usually the safe choice and is required in many states. Take quick photos first if you can do so safely.
Do I have to report a minor accident to my insurer?
Most policies say yes. Failing to report can give the insurer grounds to refuse cover if the other driver later makes a claim against you.
What if I start to feel pain days later?
See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear and tell them about the accident. Then tell your insurer. Delayed symptoms are common and do not rule out a claim, but waiting makes it harder to prove the link.
How much is my claim worth?
It depends on your medical costs, lost income, the effect on your life, who was at fault and the insurance available. See how much is a personal injury settlement worth?
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, consumer guidance on what to do after an auto accident
- Insurance Information Institute, guidance on filing an auto insurance claim
- Your state’s motor vehicle agency, for accident-reporting requirements and thresholds
Reporting rules, insurance requirements and deadlines differ by state. Check your own state’s rules or ask a licensed attorney.
